DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 1996 SENATE REPORT

104TH CONGRESS, 1ST Session SENATE REPORT 104-126

REPORT [To accompany H.R. 2002]

The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred the bill (H.R. 2002) making appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes, reports the same to the Senate with amendments and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

Loran-C --- The Committee has previously indicated that FAA should take full advantage of the compatibility of loran with GPS, and believes that loran can be used as a cost-effective alternate system to GPS until satellite technology is available as a sole means of safe and efficient navigation. Total system infrastructure operations and maintenance costs are about $17,000,000 annually. The technology is established, operationally proven, reliable and cost effective. In view of the favorable benefits versus costs associated with loran and because of the enhancement it provides to user safety, the Committee concurs with the House report language which calls for a plan that addresses future funding for loran in cooperation with other Federal entities both within and outside of DOT. Given advances in GPS, the Committee expects decreased funding in future years for this navigation. The Committee does not support expedited implementation of the automatic blink system, pending receipt of the requested funding plan. Given the budget outlook for the future, FAA should address its role with less resources.

104TH CONGRESS, 1st Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT 104-286

MAKING APPROPRIATONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

CONFERENCE REPORT [To accompany H.R. 2002]

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2002) "making appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes," having met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective Houses as follows:

Loran-C automatic blink system. -- The conferees agree with the House’s direction to expedite implementation of the automatic blink system for the Loran-C navigation system.