AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

SEC. 439. [49 U.S.C. 41705 note] AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Establishment.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish an advisory committee on issues related to the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities (referred to in this section as the “Advisory Committee”). (b) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall— (1) identify and assess the disability-related access barriers encountered by passengers with disabilities; (2) determine the extent to which the programs and activities of the Department of Transportation are addressing the barriers identified in paragraph (1); (3) recommend consumer protection improvements to the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities; (4) advise the Secretary with regard to the implementation of section 41705 of title 49, United States Code; and (5) conduct such activities as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section. (c) Membership.— (1) In general.—The Advisory Committee shall be composed of at least 1 representative of each of the following groups: (A) Passengers with disabilities. (B) National disability organizations. (C) Air carriers. (D) Airport operators. (E) Contractor service providers. (F) Aircraft manufacturers. (G) Manufacturers of wheelchairs, including powered wheelchairs, and other mobility aids. (H) National veterans organizations representing disabled veterans. (2) Appointment.—The Secretary of Transportation shall appoint each member of the Advisory Committee. (3) Vacancies.—A vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (d) Chairperson.—The Secretary of Transportation shall designate, from among the members appointed under subsection (c), an individual to serve as chairperson of the Advisory Committee. (e) 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. (f) Reports.— (1) In general.—Not later than 14 months after the date of establishment of the Advisory Committee, and annually thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation a report on the needs of passengers with disabilities in air travel, including— (A) an assessment of existing disability-related access barriers, and any emerging disability-related access barriers that will likely be an issue in the next 5 calendar years; (B) an evaluation of the extent to which the Department of Transportation’s programs and activities are eliminating disability-related access barriers; (C) a description of the Advisory Committee’s actions; (D) a description of improvements related to the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities; and (E) any recommendations for legislation, administrative action, or other action that the Advisory Committee considers appropriate. (2) Report to congress.—Not later than 60 days after the date the Secretary receives the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the report, including any additional findings or recommendations that the Secretary considers appropriate. (g) Termination.—The Advisory Committee established under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2028. (h) Termination of the Next Generation Air Transportation System Senior Policy Committee.—The Next Generation Air Transportation System Senior Policy Committee established by the Secretary of Transportation shall terminate on the date of the initial appointment of the members of the Advisory Committee.