Congressman Begich’s Airport Regulatory Relief Act Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 24, 2026 –– Today, Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, secured House passage of H.R. 6427, the Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025.
“Today’s passage of the Airport Regulatory Relief Act is particularly important for rural communities in Alaska and across America,” said Congressman Begich. “Our small airports are critical for many communities in Alaska, and this bill delivers the flexibility needed to maintain them more efficiently and affordably. By cutting unnecessary federal red tape, we can complete critical runway projects faster, reduce costs, and keep communities connected to essential services like medical care and mail delivery.”
“This legislation recognizes Alaska’s reality,” Ryan Anderson, P.E., Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. “Allowing the use of highway specifications at rural airports lets us use local materials and stretch our infrastructure dollars further -so we can address more of the critical aviation needs our communities depend on, without compromising safety.”
BACKGROUND:
Under current law, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires small, non-primary airports - even those serving only light aircraft - to comply with costly, one-size-fits-all pavement standards designed for major international airports. This regulatory mismatch has driven up project costs, delayed construction timelines, and strained already limited local resources.
H.R. 6427 provides a commonsense solution by allowing states to use their own proven highway construction standards for certain airfield pavement projects at non-primary airports serving aircraft under 60,000 pounds. The legislation maintains safety as a top priority by requiring FAA review to ensure that any alternative standards do not negatively affect safety.
Congressman Begich introduced the legislation alongside Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), David Taylor (R-OH), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI). Congressman Begich is a member of the Aviation Safety Caucus and the Aviation Subcommittee.
With the passage of H.R. 6427, Congressman Begich has now successfully passed 12 bills through the U.S. House of Representatives.
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