Small Win for Industry as FAA, Lithium Ion Battery Bill Stalls

The Federal Aviation Administration’s reauthorization bill – and its restrictive lithium ion battery shipping standards – appear stalled between the House and Senate, according to congressional staffers, giving a small win for the sports video industry.

A stalled FAA bill in Congress is providing some relief to those shipping Lithium Ion batteries.

The Senate passed its version of the FAA bill in May but lacks widespread backing in the House due to a disagreement over privatizing America’s airport security, deadlocking the two chambers. With the November elections on the horizon, many House members are beginning to put legislative initiatives on hold as they pursue re-election to secure their seats, pushing this issue back to later this year at the earliest, and next summer at the latest.

Without a compromise, current FAA funding will expire on July 15 and likely get a short extension.

Both House and Senate versions of the bill still contain provisions that restrict the shipment of lithium ion batteries as cargo on airlines, but the small win comes in the form of more time for companies to work on the issue and to ensure that those who safely put batteries on airplanes are still able to do so.

At this juncture, it is important to realize the disruption that has been temporarily avoided, but also to reassess what could still be coming next year.  Please take the time to pick up your phone and call your state’s representatives and senators in Washington and let them know that the FAA reauthorization bill’s lithium ion battery shipping provisions do not solve safety concerns and are bad for your business.

For more information, please contact Logistics Supply Chain Coalition Executive Director James Voyles at[email protected].