Senate Committee Addresses PBOR2 And The Issues Of Third Class Medical Reform

AOPA reports that on November 18, The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation reviewed Senate Bill S. 571, the bill that we more commonly refer to as the Pilots Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR2), and initiated action. The committee passed an amendment to the bill brought up by Senator, Joe Manchin. The Manchin amendment addresses the issue of third class medical reform, and other important issues.

This clears the way for a full Committee vote on the legislation which has yet to be scheduled. A committee vote to approve the legislation will clear the way for the bill to be heard on the Senate floor and then moved to the House of Representatives for further action. Prospect for the passage of the bill by the Senate and the House look favorable, according to sources.

“We are pleased that this vital legislation is still moving ahead, and we look forward to a full committee vote soon,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “The legislation has strong bipartisan support from senators who understand that the third-class medical process is long overdue for reform and want to help hundreds of thousands of pilots fly safely without having to make repeated trips to an aviation medical examiner or submit reams of paperwork to the FAA year after year.”

While the issue of medical reform seems to be top on the list of importance to pilots, the Manchin amendment also addressed certain liability protection to federal contractors which finally includes FAA designated flight and medical examiners.

FMI: www.aopa.org