According to the Helicopters International one of the measures on tap for the U.S. Congress's "lame-duck" session is to pass a bill (S.1789) that would reform the United States Postal Service, due to the serious financial issues there. However, the bill contains an amendment (SA2060) that would restrict all federal agencies to attending only one conference per year.
By the amendment's definition, a conference is, "a meeting that is held for consultation, education, or discussion; is not held entirely at an agency facility; involves costs associated with travel and lodging for some participants; and is sponsored by 1 or more agencies, 1 or more organizations that are not agencies, or a combination of such agencies or organizations."
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That means that HAI's HELI-EXPO® and any HAI committee meetings would be considered conferences. So would AOPA's Aviation Summit, EAA's AirVenture, and NBAA's Convention. The FAA could send representatives to one and only one in any given fiscal year.
It would mean, for instance, that if the FAA were to send so much as a single representative to the upcoming HAI Aerial Firefighting Committee meeting in Idaho, it could send no one to HELI-EXPO 2013 next March. Or to any other aviation conference held during that fiscal year.
The Postal Service bill (S.1789), including amendment SA2060, has passed the Senate, and is waiting for action in the House of Representatives.
HAI urges you to contact your congressman and tell them to oppose SA2060 in any form as a part of postal service reform. You can find your congressman at http://www.house.gov/ and read SA 2060 here. -HAI
By the amendment's definition, a conference is, "a meeting that is held for consultation, education, or discussion; is not held entirely at an agency facility; involves costs associated with travel and lodging for some participants; and is sponsored by 1 or more agencies, 1 or more organizations that are not agencies, or a combination of such agencies or organizations."
That means that HAI's HELI-EXPO® and any HAI committee meetings would be considered conferences. So would AOPA's Aviation Summit, EAA's AirVenture, and NBAA's Convention. The FAA could send representatives to one and only one in any given fiscal year.
It would mean, for instance, that if the FAA were to send so much as a single representative to the upcoming HAI Aerial Firefighting Committee meeting in Idaho, it could send no one to HELI-EXPO 2013 next March. Or to any other aviation conference held during that fiscal year.
The Postal Service bill (S.1789), including amendment SA2060, has passed the Senate, and is waiting for action in the House of Representatives.
HAI urges you to contact your congressman and tell them to oppose SA2060 in any form as a part of postal service reform. You can find your congressman at http://www.house.gov/ and read SA 2060 here. -HAI