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NTSB Reauthorization Request Focus Of Congressional Hearing
Reauthorization Request
The NTSB’s three-year reauthorization request includes additional funding, additional staff, and statutory changes. The FY 2007 President’s budget requests $79.6 million for the NTSB, $2.864 million above the FY 2006 enacted level. The increase is related to pay raises, benefit cost increases, inflation, and a proposal to merge the NTSB’s $2 million Emergency Fund into its regular salaries and expenses accounts. No new program initiatives are funded in the President’s request level. The FY08 and FY09 authorization levels requested by the NTSB are based on 475 full time equivalents.
Statutory Changes Proposed By NTSB
The NTSB has requested three statutory changes. The requested statutory changes pertain to the Board’s contracting authority, its authorization and use of appropriations, and payment for the services of the DOT Inspector General.
Relief From Certain Contracting Requirements For Investigation Services
The Board’s last reauthorization legislation, the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003 (PL 108-168), provides the authority for the NTSB to enter into agreements or contracts without competition when necessary to expedite an investigation. This authority sunsets on September 30, 2006. The Board proposes that the sunset provision be deleted and that the special contracting authority be made permanent.
Authorization & Use Of Appropriations
PL 108-168 authorized appropriations separately for the NTSB and for its Academy. This Act also authorized the NTSB to collect fees for services provided through the Academy (e.g., course tuitions). Such fees are credited as offsetting collections, and remain available until expended. Finally, this Act requires the NTSB to submit an annual report to Congress on activities and operations at the Academy.
The Board proposes that the Academy be authorized as part of the agency as a whole, rather than as a distinct, subordinate entity. The Board is actively working to more fully integrate its Academy into the agency’s overall mission and programs. Consequently, the Board proposes ending the practice of separately authorizing its Academy.
The Board also proposes language that would permit it to credit reimbursements (not just Academy fees) as offsetting collections that would remain available until expended. Finally, in keeping with the Board’s efforts to further integrate its Academy into the agency, the Board proposes incorporating the content of the Academy’s annual report into the Agency’s annual report to Congress.
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