FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026

Section 2(a)(1)(A) and Section 2(a)(3)(A) establish an independent expert review panel consisting of diverse aviation labor representatives, NASA experts, and independent subject matter experts. This is positive because it brings outside expertise and labor voices together to evaluate and improve aviation safety systems.

Section 2(a)(5)(C) requires the Administrator to publish the review panel's report and any dissenting views on the FAA website not later than 5 days after receiving it. This is positive because it ensures transparency and holds public officials accountable by making the safety findings available to the public.

Section 2(a)(8) requires the Administrator to report to appropriate committees of Congress on the status of ongoing actions and recommendation implementations every 90 days after the report submission. This is positive because it keeps elected officials informed and maintains oversight over whether safety improvements are actually being carried out.

Section 2(a)(6)(B)(i)(I) prohibits non-federal participants on the review panel from disclosing any non-public information made available to the panel at any time, except as required by law. This might be considered a burden because it restricts complete public transparency regarding the raw non-public details reviewed during the panel's investigation.

Section 2(a)(6)(A)(iii) states that nothing in the Act authorizes access to classified information by review panel members who lack the appropriate security clearance or need-to-know. This could be viewed as a limitation if critical safety information happens to be classified and certain experts are blocked from reviewing it fully.