ONE MORE DOWN (MAYBE), LOTS MORE TO GO!

Dear Member:

At SFATA we provide timely, accurate and complete information. As you know, last Friday April 8th we reported on an amendment introduced by Sen. Blumenthal to the FAA reauthorization bill which would restrict vapers from being able to carry vapor products in their carry on luggage.

Thanks to our immediate actions to inform the vapor industry, SFATA businesses, interested parties, and consumers took action. Similarly, several days later, other groups issued calls to action.

On April 11th, the Senate adopted language on Lithium Ion batteries by unanimous consent. This amendment, referred to as Nelson Coats #3633, directs the Secretary of The Department of Transportation (DOT) to bring transport requirements for lithium ion cells and batteries into sync with the International Civil Aviation Organizations (ICAO) 2015-2016 requirements.

While the ICAO requirements pertain mostly to cargo shipments, the Nelson Coats amendment also provides for the Secretary to review and address additional safety concerns based on Section 828 of the FAA Modernization & Reform Act of 2012. This means that within 90 days of the FAA reauthorization bill being passed, the DOT can revisit the issue of what passengers are allowed to bring in their carry-on luggage.

Finally, we’d like to correct inaccurate information currently being shared. There was a 94-4 vote to end debate on Senator John Thune’s substitute amendment (#3679) to the FAA reauthorization bill but final passage will occur later next week.

As always, we will keep you informed with timely and accurate information.