[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3739 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 3739

To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide, without subsidy, for 
        enhanced essential air service to remote insular areas.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 27, 1996

 Mr. Faleomavaega introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
           the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide, without subsidy, for 
        enhanced essential air service to remote insular areas.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REMOTE INSULAR AREA DEFINED.

    Section 41731 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6) and by inserting after 
paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) `remote insular area' means American Samoa.''.

SEC. 2. ENHANCED ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE FOR REMOTE INSULAR AREAS.

    Section 41735 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(f) Enhanced Essential Air Service for Remote Insular Areas.--
            ``(1) Proposals.--In lieu of submitting a proposal under 
        subsection (a) for enhanced essential air service based on 
        compensation, the government of a remote insular area may 
        submit a request for enhanced essential air service based on 
        the award of exclusive authority to serve an eligible point 
        located in such area. A request submitted under this subsection 
        shall specify the minimum level of enhanced essential air 
        service which the government considers appropriate.
            ``(2) Decisions.--
                    ``(A) Notice.--Within 30 days after receiving such 
                a request, the Secretary shall provide notice that 
                applications and service proposals may be submitted to 
                the Secretary within 30 days by any air carrier which 
                is willing to provide at least the minimum level of air 
                service requested.
                    ``(B) Selection.--Within 30 days after the closing 
                date for applications and proposals for service to a 
                remote insular area under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary shall select the qualified applicant whose 
                service proposal best meets the air service needs of 
                the remote insular area and shall award such applicant 
                the exclusive authority to serve the eligible point for 
                a period not to exceed 2 years. The award of such 
                authority shall be subject to the performance of 
                service in accordance with the applicant's service 
                proposal and may be renewed under this subsection.
            ``(3) Factors to consider.--In selecting an air carrier to 
        provide such exclusive service the Secretary shall consider, 
        among other factors, the factors in subsection (b)(3)(A) and 
        shall also consider the views of the requesting government.
            ``(4) Renewals.--Prior to renewing any award of exclusive 
        service authority under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        provide notice and opportunity for other air carriers to submit 
        applications and service proposals. Such applications and 
        proposals shall be considered by the Secretary in accordance 
        with this subsection.''.
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