H.R. 302 (P.L. 115-254), the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, was signed into law on October 5, 2018. It extended FAA's funding and authorities through Fiscal Year 2023. The bill includes important legislative changes related to increasing the safety and pace of UAS integration, expediting the financing and development of airport capital projects, directing the FAA to advance leadership in the field of international supersonic aircraft policies, addressing aircraft noise, and ensuring safe lithium battery transport. Furthermore, the bill directs FAA to promote U.S. aerospace-related standards globally and allows the Agency to work with foreign partners to streamline certification processes for U.S. aircraft. The legislation also streamlines the FAA certification process to ensure that U.S. aviation manufacturers can compete globally and get their products to market on time, and fosters collaboration with industry stakeholders to streamline certification and regulatory processes and establish clear FAA performance objectives and metrics.

This bi-partisan, five-year authorization of the FAA represents the first significant multi-year reauthorization since the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95), and the first five-year reauthorization since 1982. The signing of the long-term bill frees up the Agency from the uncertainty of more short-term extensions and instead authorizes the reliable, predictable funding the FAA needs to invest in these critical priorities.