GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS OF AIR CARRIERS FOR CERTAIN EVENTS.

SEC. 515. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON THE OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS OF AIR CARRIERS FOR CERTAIN EVENTS. (a) Study.— (1) In general.—The Comptroller General shall study and assess the operational preparedness of air carriers for changing weather and other events related to changing conditions and natural hazards, including flooding, extreme heat, changes in precipitation, storms, including winter storms, coastal storms, tropical storms, and hurricanes, and fire conditions. (2) Requirements.—As part of the study required under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall assess the following: (A) The extent to which air carriers are preparing for weather events and natural disasters, as well as changing conditions and natural hazards, that may impact operational investments of air carriers, staffing levels and safety policies, mitigation strategies, and other resiliency planning. (B) How the FAA oversees operational resilience of air carriers relating to storms, natural disasters, and changing conditions. (C) Steps the Federal Government and air carriers can take to improve operational resilience relating to storms, natural disasters, and changing conditions. (b) Briefing and Report.— (1) Briefing.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the study required under subsection (a), and recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. (2) Report.—Not later than 6 months after the briefing required by paragraph (1) is provided, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study required under subsection (a), and recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. (c) Definition of Air Carrier.—In this section, the term “air carrier” has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.