H.R. 2897 Draws Bipartisan Support
Kansas Representative Mike Pompeo (R-KS) (pictured) has
introduced legislation to fully reinstate the Block Aircraft
Registration Request (BARR) program, so that aircraft owners and
operators can opt out of having their flights broadcast over the
Internet.
"The Federal Government's dissemination to the public of
information relating to a noncommercial flight carried out by a
private owner or operator of an aircraft, whether during or
following the flight, does not serve a public policy objective,"
reads the bill (H.R. 2897), entitled "The BARR Preservation Act of
2011." Review a copy of H.R. 2897.
Rep. Pompeo's bill, which has support from a bipartisan group of
House lawmakers, was introduced on September 12 and referred to the
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Co-sponsors for
the bill include: Rep. Tim Scott (R-1SC), Rep. Sam Graves
(R—KS), Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Rep. Dan Burton
(R-IN), Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Rep. Billy Long (R-MO), Rep. Don
Young (R-AK), Rep. Donald A. Manzullo (R-IL), Rep. Aaron Schock
(R-IL), Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), Rep.
Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and John Barrow (D-GA).
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen welcomed the legislation,
stating: "Privacy, security and competitive concerns have been at
the heart of protests from within and outside the aviation
community since government officials moved to severely limit the
decade-old, congressionally enabled BARR program. We thank
Congressman Pompeo for his recognition of these concerns, and his
legislation to address them."
Congressman Pompeo's bill follows the introduction of similar
legislation introduced in the Senate in August by Sen. Pat Roberts
(R-KS).
"The BARR Preservation Act would allow Americans to opt out of
having their movements tracked by anyone other than law enforcement
agencies. Preserving crucial privacy protection will ensure flight
safety for many users in the General Aviation community, which is a
vital part of the South Central Kansas economy," Pompeo said after
introducing his bill.
Congress has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the government's
plans for the BARR.
- On September 12, Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), Chairman of the House
Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, included a provision
to preserve BARR in the FY 2012 Appropriations Bill for the
Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
Review Congressman Latham's provision.
- In July, 33 House lawmakers sent a letter asking DOT Secretary
Ray LaHood to set aside his plans for the BARR. In June, a similar
letter was sent by 26 senators, including Sen. Roberts.
- Earlier in the year, the House passed legislation preserving
the BARR as part of its version of a reauthorization package for
the FAA. The House legislation awaits reconciliation with the FAA
reauthorization measure passed by the Senate. Review the language
included in the House FAA reauthorization bill.
Separately, NBAA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA) are challenging the government's plan in court. The
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) also has filed a friend of
the court brief supporting the suit. A full hearing on the matter
is expected in the coming months.
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