This bill matters because it could significantly change how infrastructure projects are funded and executed at smaller airports. Currently, all federally-funded airport projects must adhere to rigorous federal aviation standards, which can sometimes be more expensive or complex to meet than state highway standards.

If this bill becomes law, states and small airports could potentially save money and time on runway construction and repair by using existing state resources and expertise, which are often geared towards highway construction. This could lead to more efficient use of taxpayer dollars and faster completion of necessary airport improvements. However, if it doesn't pass, these airports will continue to be bound by current federal aviation standards, which some argue can be overly burdensome for their specific needs, especially for runways handling lighter aircraft.