; (G) establish protocols for contingency operations and procedures in the event of remote tower technology failures and malfunctions; and (H) support active testing of a remote tower system that has achieved system design approval by the William J. Hughes Technical Center at an airport that has installed remote tower infrastructure to support such system. (3) System design approval and evaluation process Not later than December 31, 2024, the Administrator shall expand the system design approval and evaluation process for a digital or remote tower system to not less than 3 airports at which a digital or remote tower will be installed or operated at airports not located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center and using the criteria under section 161 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 ( 49 U.S.C. 47104 note), to the extent the Administrator has willing technology providers and airports interested in the installation and operation of such towers. (4) Preservation of existing design approvals Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to invalidate any system design approval activity carried out by the William J. Hughes Technical Center prior to the date of enactment of this subsection. (5) Prioritization for remote tower certification In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall prioritize system design and operational approval for a remote tower system at— (A) airports that do not have a permanent air traffic control tower at the time of application; (B) airports that would provide small and rural community air service; or (C) airports that have been newly accepted as of the date of enactment of this subsection into the Contract Tower Program. . (b) Briefing to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter through October 1, 2028, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on— (1) the status of remote and digital tower projects in the system design approval and commissioning process