S-1965 : Still Just a Bill

The Airport Infrastructure Resources Security Act of 2023 (AIR Security Act), or S. 1965, aims to prevent the use of airport improvement grant funds for contracts with entities that have violated the intellectual property rights of United States entities.

• Prohibition: The bill prohibits the use of project grants under chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, for contracts related to passenger boarding bridge infrastructure or equipment with entities listed under subsection (c).
• List of Entities: The United States Trade Representative, the Attorney General, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration are required to create and maintain a publicly available list of entities that:
  • Are owned, directed, or subsidized by the People's Republic of China.
  • Have been found by a Federal court to have misappropriated intellectual property or trade secrets from a U.S. entity.
  • Are related to or have agreements with entities described above.
• List Updates: The list will be updated frequently in the initial 180 days and annually thereafter.

In summary, this bill seeks to protect U.S. intellectual property by restricting federal airport funding from going to entities that have been found to infringe upon those rights, particularly those connected to the People's Republic of China.