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FAA Reauthorization act includes provisions creating FAA DBE program

President Joe Biden has recently signed into law the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, a large bill which also happens to include a provision from the previously-proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act, as introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Alex Padilla, and in the U.S. House by Representatives Pete Aguilar and Jimmy Gomez.

The relevant provision from the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act creates a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program within the FAA. The new DBE program will be funded under the Airport and Airways Trust Fund established in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The FAA will now have authority to conduct training and assistance under its new DBE program.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act also included provisions increasing the annual funding cap for the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) DBE Supportive Services Program, however, those provisions were not part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

"Our bill will provide critical resources to help women and minority entrepreneurs effectively compete for federal contracts," said Senator Padilla in a statement.

Read a press release from Senator Padilla's office on the signing of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 at https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-aguilar-provisions-to-boost-minority-and-women-owned-businesses-included-in-faa-reauthorization/.

Read an earlier press release from Senator Padilla's office on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act at https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-introduces-legislation-to-help-underserved-businesses-compete-for-transportation-funding/.

Read the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act as it was proposed at that time at https://www.padilla.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/EDW23448.pdf.