MOBILE Act

3/13/2024, 8:26 PM

Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All Act or the MOBILE Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations related to the accommodations that air carriers and foreign air carriers make for passengers with wheelchairs (including power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters); DOT must also develop a road map and study the issue.

Specifically, air carriers must publish the dimensions of aircraft cargo holds. An air carrier must offer a full refund to an individual with a disability who is traveling with a wheelchair and cannot fly on the existing aircraft because the cargo hold cannot physically accommodate the wheelchair.

DOT must also

  • evaluate data on the mishandling of wheelchairs on aircraft (e.g., damages, delays, or loss) and submit a publicly available report to Congress, which must include DOT's plans to address issues in the report;
  • submit a strategic road map to Congress describing how DOT and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) will establish a research program on the feasibility of main cabin wheelchair restraint systems; and
  • study, if DOT first determines doing so would be technically feasible, the economic and financial feasibility of air carriers accommodating passengers with wheelchairs in the main cabin during flight.
The MOBILE Act, also known as Bill 118 s 1459, is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to streamline the process for the deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure, such as cell towers and antennas, in order to improve access to high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas.

The MOBILE Act aims to reduce regulatory barriers and expedite the approval process for the construction of mobile broadband infrastructure. This includes provisions to limit the fees that local governments can charge for permits and access to public rights-of-way, as well as requirements for timely approval of applications for new infrastructure.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to encourage collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector entities, in order to facilitate the deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure. This includes the establishment of a task force to identify best practices and recommend policies to improve access to high-speed internet in underserved areas. Overall, the MOBILE Act is designed to promote the expansion of mobile broadband infrastructure in order to increase access to high-speed internet for all Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities. By reducing regulatory barriers and promoting collaboration, this legislation aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to the benefits of the digital economy.
Congress
118
Number
S - 1459
Introduced on
2023-05-04
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

5/4/2023
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All Act or the MOBILE Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations related to the accommodations that air carriers and foreign air carriers make for passengers with wheelchairs (including power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters); DOT must also develop a road map and study the issue.

Specifically, air carriers must publish the dimensions of aircraft cargo holds. An air carrier must offer a full refund to an individual with a disability who is traveling with a wheelchair and cannot fly on the existing aircraft because the cargo hold cannot physically accommodate the wheelchair.

DOT must also

  • evaluate data on the mishandling of wheelchairs on aircraft (e.g., damages, delays, or loss) and submit a publicly available report to Congress, which must include DOT's plans to address issues in the report;
  • submit a strategic road map to Congress describing how DOT and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) will establish a research program on the feasibility of main cabin wheelchair restraint systems; and
  • study, if DOT first determines doing so would be technically feasible, the economic and financial feasibility of air carriers accommodating passengers with wheelchairs in the main cabin during flight.
The MOBILE Act, also known as Bill 118 s 1459, is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to streamline the process for the deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure, such as cell towers and antennas, in order to improve access to high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas.

The MOBILE Act aims to reduce regulatory barriers and expedite the approval process for the construction of mobile broadband infrastructure. This includes provisions to limit the fees that local governments can charge for permits and access to public rights-of-way, as well as requirements for timely approval of applications for new infrastructure.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to encourage collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector entities, in order to facilitate the deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure. This includes the establishment of a task force to identify best practices and recommend policies to improve access to high-speed internet in underserved areas. Overall, the MOBILE Act is designed to promote the expansion of mobile broadband infrastructure in order to increase access to high-speed internet for all Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities. By reducing regulatory barriers and promoting collaboration, this legislation aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to the benefits of the digital economy.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue regulations concerning accommodations for powered wheelchairs, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Transportation and Public Works

Comments

Related

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Bill Update Alert:  MOBILE Act

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/4/2024

Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All Act or the MOBILE Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations related to the accommodations that air carriers and foreign air carrier...

Latest Action5/4/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.