ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION.

SEC. 411. [49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note] ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION. (a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish an advisory committee for aviation consumer protection to advise the Secretary in carrying out activities relating to airline customer service improvements. (b) Membership.—The Secretary shall appoint the members of the advisory committee, which shall be comprised of one representative each of— (1) air carriers; (2) airport operators; (3) State or local governments with expertise in consumer protection matters; and (4) nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in consumer protection matters. (c) Vacancies.—A vacancy in the advisory committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (d) Travel Expenses.—Members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (e) Chairperson.—The Secretary shall designate, from among the individuals appointed under subsection (b), an individual to serve as chairperson of the advisory committee. (f) Duties.—The duties of the advisory committee shall include— (1) evaluating existing aviation consumer protection programs and providing recommendations for the improvement of such programs, if needed; and (2) providing recommendations for establishing additional aviation consumer protection programs, if needed. (g) Report to Congress.—Not later than February 1 of each of the first 2 calendar years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report containing— (1) the recommendations made by the advisory committee during the preceding calendar year; and (2) an explanation of how the Secretary has implemented each recommendation and, for each recommendation not implemented, the Secretary’s reason for not implementing the recommendation. (h) Termination.—The advisory committee established under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2028. (i) Consultation.—The Advisory Committee shall consult, as appropriate, with foreign air carriers, air carriers with an ultra-low-cost business model, nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in disability and accessibility matters, ticket agents, travel management companies, and any other groups as determined by the Secretary.