Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2026

This bill amends federal law to significantly revise the qualifications for entities holding an Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It mandates that ODA holders with at least $15 billion in annual gross revenue must annually certify that their board of directors includes two representatives from labor organizations involved in aircraft design and manufacturing, and two representatives with proven aerospace safety experience. These new requirements are designed to integrate critical labor and safety expertise directly into the highest levels of corporate governance for major aerospace entities. To ensure compliance, the legislation directs the FAA Administrator to rescind existing ODA delegations within 90 days for any entity that fails to meet these updated board composition standards. This measure aims to enhance safety oversight and accountability by ensuring that "safety starts at the top" for large organizations entrusted with significant aviation responsibilities.