[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10844-S10853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                  McCAIN (AND FORD) AMENDMENT NO. 3618

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Ford) proposed an amendment to the 
bill (S. 2279) to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize the 
programs of the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 1999, 
2000, 2001, and 2002, and for other purposes; as follows:

       On page 88, in the matter appearing after line 8, strike 
     the item relating to section 106.
       On page 88, in the matter appearing after line 8, insert 
     the following after the item relating to section 211:

Sec. 212. Airfield pavement conditions.

       On page 89, strike the item relating to section 403.
       On page 89, strike the item relating to section 503 and 
     insert the following:

Sec. 503. Runway safety areas; precision approach path indicators.

       On page 89, after the item relating to section 519 insert 
     the following:

Sec. 520. Improvements to air navigation facilities.
Sec. 521. Denial of airport access to certain air carriers.
Sec. 522. Tourism.
Sec. 523. Equivalency of FAA and EU safety standards.
Sec. 524. Sense of the Senate on property taxes on public-use airports.
Sec. 525. Federal Aviation Administration Personnel Management System.
Sec. 526. Aircraft and aviation component repair and maintenance 
              advisory panel.
Sec. 527. Report on enhanced domestic airline competition.
Sec. 528. Aircraft situational display data.


[[Page S10845]]


       On page 89 strike the items relating to section 606 through 
     612 and insert the following:

Sec. 606. Slot exemptions for nonstop regional jet service.
Sec. 607. Exemptions to perimeter rule at Ronald Reagan Washington 
              national airport.
Sec. 608. Additional slots at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Sec. 609. Consumer notification of e-ticket expiration dates.
Sec. 610. Joint venture agreements.
Sec. 611. Regional air service incentive options.
Sec. 612. GAO study of air transportation needs.

       On page 89, after the item relating to section 704, insert 
     the following:

Sec. 705. Prohibition of commercial air tours over the Rocky Mountain 
              National Park.

       On page 89, strike the items relating to title VIII and to 
     section 801, and insert the following:

             TITLE VIII--CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT COMMEMORATION

Sec. 801. Short title.
Sec. 802. Findings.
Sec. 803. Establishment.
Sec. 804. Membership.
Sec. 805. Duties.
Sec. 806. Powers.
Sec. 807. Staff and support services
Sec. 808. Contributions.
Sec. 809. Exclusive right to name, logos, emblems, seals, and marks.
Sec. 810. Reports.
Sec. 811. Audit of financial translations.
Sec. 812. Advisory board.
Sec. 813. Definitions.
Sec. 614. Termination.
Sec. 815. Authorization of appropriations.

       On page 90, line 10, insert:
       ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Section''.
       On page 90, between lines 15 and 16, insert the following:
       (b) Coordination.--The authority granted the Secretary 
     under section 41717 of title 49, United States Code, does not 
     affect the Secretary's authority under any other provision of 
     law.
       On page 90, beginning with ``1999,'' in line 16, strike 
     through ``2002.'' in line 18 and insert the following: ``1999 
     and $5,784,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.''.
       On page 92, line 23, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
       On page 92, line 24, strike ``2000;'' and insert ``2000.''.
       On page 92, beginning with line 25, strike through line 1 
     on page 93.
       On page 93, line 5, strike ``1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002'' 
     and insert ``1999 and 2000''.
       On page 93, line 25, strike ``1999,'' and insert ``1999 
     and''.
       On page 94, beginning with ``2000,'' in line 1, strike 
     through line 3 and insert ``2000.'. ''.
       On page 94, line 18, insert ``at the end thereof'' after 
     ``adding''.
       On page 96, beginning in line 8, strike ``analysis for 
     subchapter I of'' and insert ``chapter analysis for''.
       On page 96, line 10, strike ``adding at the end'' and 
     insert ``inserting after the item relating to section 
     47135''.
       On page 97, beginning in line 13, strike ``the 
     demonstration program result in'' and insert ``this section 
     be used in a manner giving rise to''.
       On page 103, line 19, strike ``subchapter'' and insert 
     ``chapter''.
       On page 105, line 15, insert a comma after ``systems''.
       On page 106, line 8, strike ``Notwithstanding'' and insert 
     ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding''.
       On page 106, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:
       (b) Effective Date.--This section applies to any request 
     filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
       On page 107, line 10, after ``conditioning)'' insert ``and 
     aircraft fueling facilities adjacent to an airport terminal 
     building''.
       On page 107, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:

     SEC. 212. AIRFIELD PAVEMENT CONDITIONS.

       (a) Evaluation of Options.--The Administrator of the 
     Federal Aviation Administration shall evaluate options for 
     improving the quality of information available to the 
     Administration on airfield pavement conditions for airports 
     that are part of the national air transportation system, 
     including--
       (1) improving the existing runway condition information 
     contained in the Airport Safety Data Program by reviewing and 
     revising rating criteria and providing increased training for 
     inspectors;
       (2) requiring such airports to submit pavement condition 
     index information as part of their airport master plan or as 
     support in applications for airport improvement grants; and
       (3) requiring all such airports to submit pavement 
     condition index information on a regular basis and using this 
     information to create a pavement condition database that 
     could be used in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of project 
     applications and forecasting anticipated pavement needs.
       (b) Report to Congress.--The Administrator shall transmit a 
     report, containing an evaluation of such options, to the 
     Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
     the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       On page 110, line 3, insert a comma after ``business''.
       On page 110, line 4, insert a comma after ``residence''.
       On page 110, line 10, insert a comma after ``business''.
       On page 110, line 11, insert a comma after ``residence''.
       On page 111, beginning with line 4, strike through line 9 
     on page 112 and insert the following:
       Section 45301 is amended by striking ``government.'' in 
     subsection (a)(2) and inserting ``government or to any entity 
     obtaining services outside the United Sates.''.
       On page 115, beginning with line 14, strike through line 13 
     on page 116.
       On page 117, beginning with line 21, strike through line 2 
     on page 118, and insert the following:

     SEC. 503. RUNAWAY SAFETY AREAS; PRECISION APPROACH PATH 
                   INDICATORS.

       Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     shall solicit comments on the need for--
       (1) the improvement of runway safety areas; and
       (2) the installation of precision approach path indicators.
       On page 118, strike lines 6 through 12 and insert the 
     following:
       ``(b) Nonapplication.--Subsection (a) does not apply to 
     aircraft when used in--
       ``(1) scheduled flights by scheduled air carriers holding 
     certificates issued by the Secretary of Transportation under 
     subpart II of this part;
       ``(2) training operations conducted entirely within a 50-
     mile radius of the airport from which the training operations 
     begin;
       ``(3) flight operations related to the design and testing, 
     manufacture, preparation, and delivery of aircraft;
       ``(4) showing compliance with regulations, exhibition, or 
     air racing; or
       ``(5) the aerial application of a substance for an 
     agricultural purpose.''.
       On page 118, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:
       (b) Compliance.--Section 44712 is amended by redesignating 
     subsection (c) as subsection (d), and by inserting after 
     subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Compliance.--An aircraft is deemed to meet the 
     requirement of subsection (a) if it is equipped with an 
     emergency locator transmitter that transmits on the 121.5/243 
     megahertz frequency or the 406 megahertz frequency, or with 
     other equipment approved by the Secretary for meeting the 
     requirement of subsection (a).''.
       On page 118, line 13, strike ``(b)'' and insert ``(c).
       On page 118, line 17, strike ``subsection (a)'' and insert 
     ``this section''.
       On page 118, line 19, strike ``amendment made by subsection 
     (a)'' and insert ``amendments made by this section''.
       On page 118, beginning with line 21, strike through line 11 
     on page 119, and insert the following:
       (a) Denial; Revocation; Amendment of Certificate.--
       (a) In general.--Chapter 447 is amended by adding at the 
     end thereof the following:

     ``Sec. 44725. Denial and revocation of certificate for 
       counterfeit parts violations

       ``(a) Denial of Certificate.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) of 
     this subsection and subsection (e)(2) of this section, the 
     Administrator may not issue a certificate under this chapter 
     to any person--
       ``(A) convicted of a violation of a law of the United 
     States or of a State relating to the installation, 
     production, repair, or sale of a counterfeit or falsely-
     represented aviation part or material; or
       ``(B) subject to a controlling or ownership interest of an 
     individual convicted of such a violation.
       ``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the 
     Administrator may issue a certificate under this chapter to a 
     person described in paragraph (1) if issuance of the 
     certificate will facilitate law enforcement efforts.
       ``(b) Revocation of Certificate.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsections (f) 
     and (g) of this section, the Administrator shall issue an 
     order revoking a certificate issued under this chapter if the 
     Administrator finds that the holder of the certificate, or an 
     individual who has a controlling or ownership interest in the 
     holder--
       ``(A) was convicted of a violation of a law of the United 
     States or of a State relating to the installation, 
     production, repair, or sale of a counterfeit or falsely-
     represented aviation part or material; or
       ``(B) knowingly carried out or facilitated an activity 
     punishable under such a law.
       ``(2) No authority to review violation.--In carrying out 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administrator may not 
     review whether a person violated such a law.
       ``(c) Notice Requirement.--Before the Administrator revokes 
     a certificate under subsection (b), the Administrator shall--
       ``(1) advise the holder of the certificate of the reason 
     for the revocation; and
       ``(2) provide the holder of the certificate an opportunity 
     to be heard on why the certificate should not be revoked.
       ``(d) Appeal.--The provisions of section 44710(d) apply to 
     the appeal of a revocation order under subsection (b). For 
     the purpose of applying that section to such an appeal, 
     `person' shall be substituted for `individual' each place it 
     appears.

[[Page S10846]]

       ``(e) Acquittal or Reversal.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may not revoke, and 
     the Board may not affirm a revocation of, a certificate under 
     section (b)(1)(B) of this section if the holder of the 
     certificate, or the individual, is acquitted of all charges 
     related to the violation.
       ``(2) Reissuance.--The Administrator may reissue a 
     certificate revoked under subsection (b) of this section to 
     the former holder if--
       ``(A) the former holder otherwise satisfies the 
     requirements of this chapter for the certificate;
       ``(B) the former holder, or individual, is acquitted of all 
     charges related to the violation on which the revocation was 
     based; or
       ``(C) the conviction of the former holder, or individual, 
     of the violation on which the revocation was based is 
     reversed.
       ``(f) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive revocation of a 
     certificate under subsection (b) of this section if--
       ``(1) a law enforcement official of the United States 
     Government, or of a State (with respect to violations of 
     State law), requests a waiver; or
       ``(2) the waiver will facilitate law enforcement efforts.
       ``(g) Amendment of Certificate.--If the holder of a 
     certificate issued under this chapter is other than an 
     individual and the Administrator finds that--
       ``(1) an individual who had a controlling or ownership 
     interest in the holder committed a violation of a law for the 
     violation of which a certificate may be revoked under this 
     section, or knowingly carried out or facilitated an activity 
     punishable under such a law; and
       ``(2) the holder satisfies the requirements for the 
     certificate without regard to that individual,

     then the Administrator may amend the certificate to impose a 
     limitation that the certificate will not be valid if that 
     individual has a controlling or ownership interest in the 
     holder. A decision by the Administrator under this subsection 
     is not reviewable by the Board.''.
       ``(2) Conforming amendment.--The chapter analysis for 
     chapter 447 is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
     following:

``44725. Denial and revocation of certificate for counterfeit parts 
              violations''.

       On page 119, line 12, strike ``(c)'' and insert ``(b)''.
       On page 121, beginning with line 10, strike through line 8 
     on page 123 and insert the following:

     SEC. 508. CONVEYANCES OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LAND.

       (a) In General.--Section 47125(a) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(a) Conveyances to Public Agencies.--
       ``(1) Request for conveyance.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of 
     Transportation--
       ``(A) shall request the head of the department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government owning or 
     controlling land or airspace to convey a property interest in 
     the land or airspace to the public agency sponsoring the 
     project or owning or controlling the airport when necessary 
     to carry out a project under this subchapter at a public 
     airport, to operate a public airport, or for the future 
     development of an airport under the national plan of 
     integrated airport systems; and
       ``(B) may request the head of such a department, agency, or 
     instrumentality to convey a property interest in the land or 
     airspace to such a public agency for a use that will 
     complement, facilitate, or augment airport development, 
     including the development of additional revenue from both 
     aviation and nonaviation sources.
       ``(2) Response to request for certain conveyances.--Within 
     4 months after receiving a request from the Secretary under 
     paragraph (1), the head of the department, agency, or 
     instrumentality shall--
       ``(A) decide whether the requested conveyance is consistent 
     with the needs of the department, agency, or instrumentality;
       ``(B) notify the Secretary of the decision; and
       ``(C) make the requested conveyance if--
       ``(i) the requested conveyance is consistent with the needs 
     of the department, agency, or instrumentality;
       ``(ii) the Attorney General approves the conveyance; and
       ``(iii) the conveyance can be made without cost to the 
     United States Government.
       ``(3) Reversion.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a 
     conveyance under this subsection may only be made on the 
     condition that the property interest conveyed reverts to the 
     Government, at the option of the Secretary, to the extent it 
     is not developed for an airport purpose or used consistently 
     with the conveyance.''.
       (b) Release of Certain Conditions.--Section 47125 is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (2) by inserting the following after subsection (a):
       ``(b) Release of Certain Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     grant a release from any term, condition, reservation, or 
     restriction contained in any conveyance executed under this 
     section, section 16 of the Federal Airport Act, section 23 of 
     the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, or section 
     516 of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, to 
     facilitate the development of additional revenue from 
     aeronautical and nonaeronautical sources if the 
     Secretary--
       ``(1) determines that the property is no longer needed for 
     aeronautical purposes;
       ``(2) determines that the property will be used solely to 
     generate revenue for the public airport;
       ``(3) provides preliminary notice to the head of the 
     department, agency, or instrumentality that conveyed the 
     property interest at least 30 days before executing the 
     release;
       ``(4) provides notice to the public of the requested 
     release;
       ``(5) includes in the release a written justification for 
     the release of the property; and
       ``(6) determines that release of the property will advance 
     civil aviation in the United States.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--Section 47125(b) of title 49, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (b) of this section, 
     applies to property interests conveyed before, on, or after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Iditarod Area School District.--Notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law (including section 47125 of title 49, 
     United States Code, as amended by this section), the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, or the 
     Administrator of the General Services Administration, may 
     convey to the Iditarod Area School District without 
     reimbursement all right, title, and interest in 12 acres of 
     property at Lake Minchumina, Alaska, identified by the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
     including the structures known as housing units 100 through 
     105 and as utility building 301.
       On page 124, line 2, strike the closing quotation marks and 
     the second period.
       On page 124, line 19, strike ``subsection.'' and insert 
     ``section.''.
       On page 128, strike the matter appearing between lines 8 
     and 9 and insert the following:

``44516. Human factors program''.

       On page 132, line 10, after ``project'' insert ``on the air 
     operations area,''
       On page 140, strike lines 16 through 21.
       On page 143, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:

     SEC. 520. IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES.

       Section 44502(a) is amended by adding at the end thereof 
     the following:
       ``(5) The Administrator may improve real property leased 
     for air navigation facilities without regard to the costs of 
     the improvements in relation to the cost of the lease if--
       ``(A) the improvements primarily benefit the government;
       ``(B) are essential for mission accomplishment; and
       ``(C) the government's interest in the improvements is 
     protected.''.

     SEC. 521. DENIAL OF AIRPORT ACCESS TO CERTAIN AIR CARRIERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 47107 is amended by adding at the 
     end thereof the following:
       ``(q) Denial of Access.--
       ``(1) Effect of denial.--If an owner or operator of an 
     airport described in paragraph (2) denies access to an air 
     carrier described in paragraph (3), that denial shall not be 
     considered to be unreasonable or unjust discrimination or a 
     violation of this section.
       ``(b) Airports to Which Subsection Applies.--An airport is 
     described in this paragraph if it--
       ``(A) is designated as a reliever airport by the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;
       ``(B) does not have an operating certificate issued under 
     part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
     subsequent similar regulations); and
       ``(C) is located within a 35-mile radius of an airport that 
     has--
       ``(i) at least 0.05 percent of the total annual boardings 
     in the United States; and
       ``(ii) current gate capacity to handle the demands of a 
     public charter operation.
       ``(3) Air carriers described.--An air carrier is described 
     in this paragraph if it conducts operations as a public 
     charter under part 380 of title 14, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (or any subsequent similar regulations) with 
     aircraft that is designed to carry more than 9 passengers per 
     flight.
       ``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Air carrier; air transportation; aircraft; airport.--
     The terms `air carrier', `air transportation', `aircraft', 
     and `airport' have the meanings given those terms in section 
     40102 of this title.
       ``(B) Public charter.--The term `public charter' means 
     charter air transportation for which the general public is 
     provided in advance a schedule containing the departure 
     location, departure time, and arrival location of the 
     flights.''.

     SEC. 522. TOURISM.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) through an effective public-private partnership, 
     Federal, State, and local governments and the travel and 
     tourism industry can successfully market the United States as 
     the premiere international tourist destination in the world;
       (2) in 1997, the travel and tourism industry made a 
     substantial contribution to the health of the Nation's 
     economy, as follows:
       (A) The industry is one of the Nation's largest employers, 
     directly employing 7,000,000 Americans, throughout every 
     region of the country, heavily concentrated among small 
     businesses, and indirectly employing an additional 9,200,000 
     Americans, for a total of 16,200,000 jobs.
       (B) The industry ranks as the first, second, or third 
     largest employer in 32 States and the District of Columbia, 
     generating a total tourism-related annual payroll of 
     $127,900,000,000.

[[Page S10847]]

       (C) The industry has become the Nation's third-largest 
     retail sales industry, generating a total of $489,000,000,000 
     in total expenditures.
       (D) The industry generated $71,700,000,000 in tax revenues 
     for Federal, State, and local governments;
       (3) the more than $98,000,000,000 spent by foreign visitors 
     in the United States in 1997 generated a trade services 
     surplus of more than $26,000,000,000;
       (4) the private sector, States, and cities currently spend 
     more than $1,000,000,000 annually to promote particular 
     destinations within the United States to international 
     visitors;
       (5) because other nations are spending hundreds of millions 
     of dollars annually to promote the visits of international 
     tourists to their countries, the United States will miss a 
     major marketing opportunity if it fails to aggressively 
     compete for an increased share of international tourism 
     expenditures as they continue to increase over the next 
     decade;
       (6) a well-funded, well-coordinated international marketing 
     effort--combined with additional public and private sector 
     efforts--would help small and large businesses, as well as 
     State and local governments, share in the anticipated 
     phenomenal growth of the international travel and tourism 
     market in the 21st century;
       (7) by making permanent the successful visa waiver pilot 
     program, Congress can facilitate the increased flow of 
     international visitors to the United States;
       (8) Congress can increase the opportunities for attracting 
     international visitors and enhancing their stay in the United 
     States by--
       (A) improving international signage at airports, seaports, 
     land border crossings, highways, and bus, train, and other 
     public transit stations in the United States;
       (B) increasing the availability of multilingual tourist 
     information; and
       (C) creating a toll-free, private-sector operated, 
     telephone number, staffed by multilingual operators, to 
     provide assistance to international tourist coping with an 
     emergency;
       (9) by establishing a satellite system of accounting for 
     travel and tourism, the Secretary of Commerce could provide 
     Congress and the President with objective, thorough data that 
     would help policy-makers more accurately gauge the size and 
     scope of the domestic travel and tourism industry and its 
     significant impact on the health of the Nation's economy; and
       (10) having established the United States National Tourism 
     Organization under the United States National Tourism 
     Organization Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 2141 et seq.) to increase 
     the United States share of the international tourism market 
     by developing a national travel and tourism strategy, 
     Congress should support a long-term marketing effort and 
     other important regulatory reform initiatives to promote 
     increased travel to the United States for the benefit of 
     every sector of the economy.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are to provide 
     international visitor initiatives and an international 
     marketing program to enable the United States travel and 
     tourism industry and every level of government to benefit 
     from a successful effort to make the United States the 
     premiere travel destination in the world.
       (c) International Visitor Assistance Task Force.--
       (1) Establishment.--Not later than 9 months after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
     establish an Intergovernmental Task Force for International 
     Visitor Assistance (hereafter in this subsection referred to 
     as the ``Task Force'').
       (2) Duties.--The Task Force shall examine--
       (A) signage at facilities in the United States, including 
     airports, seaports, land border crossings, highways, and bus, 
     train, and other public transit stations, and shall identify 
     existing inadequacies and suggest solutions for such 
     inadequacies, such as the adoption of uniform standards on 
     international signage for use throughout the United States in 
     order to facilitate international visitors' travel in the 
     United States;
       (B) the availability of multilingual travel and tourism 
     information and means of disseminating, at no or minimal cost 
     to the Government, of such information; and
       (C) facilitating the establishment of a toll-free, private-
     sector operated, telephone number, staffed by multilingual 
     operators, to provide assistance to international tourists 
     coping with an emergency.
       (3) Membership.--The Task Force shall be composed of the 
     following members:
       (A) The Secretary of Commerce.
       (B) The Secretary of State.
       (C) The Secretary of Transportation.
       (D) The Chair of the Board of Directors of the United 
     States National Tourism Organization.
       (E) Such other representatives of other Federal agencies 
     and private-sector entities as may be determined to be 
     appropriate to the mission of the Task Force by the Chairman.
       (4) Chairman.--The Secretary of Commerce shall be Chairman 
     of the Task Force. The Task Force shall meet at least twice 
     each year. Each member of the Task Force shall furnish 
     necessary assistance to the Task Force.
       (5) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Task Force shall 
     submit to the President and to Congress a report on the 
     results of the review, including proposed amendments to 
     existing laws or regulations as may be appropriate to 
     implement such recommendations.
       (d) Travel and Tourism Industry Satellite System of 
     Accounting.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce shall complete, 
     as soon as may be practicable, a satellite system of 
     accounting for the travel and tourism industry.
       (2) Funding.--To the extent any costs or expenditures are 
     incurred under this subsection, they shall be covered to the 
     extent funds are available to the Department of Commerce for 
     such purpose.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) Authorization.--Subject to paragraph (2), there are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
     for the purpose of funding international promotional 
     activities by the United States National Tourism Organization 
     to help brand, position, and promote the United States as the 
     premiere travel and tourism destination in the world.
       (2) Restrictions on use of funds.--None of the funds 
     appropriated under paragraph (1) may be used for purposes 
     other than marketing, research, outreach, or any other 
     activity designed to promote the United States as the 
     premiere travel and tourism destination in the world, except 
     that the general and administrative expenses of operating the 
     United States National Tourism Organization shall be borne by 
     the private sector through such means as the Board of 
     Directors of the Organization shall determine.
       (3) Report to congress.--Not later than March 30 of each 
     year in which funds are made available under subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate a detailed report 
     setting forth--
       (A) the manner in which appropriated funds were expanded;
       (B) changes in the United States market share of 
     international tourism in general and as measured against 
     specific countries and regions;
       (C) an analysis of the impact of international tourism on 
     the United States economy, including, as specifically as 
     practicable, an analysis of the impact of expenditures made 
     pursuant to this section;
       (D) an analysis of the impact of international tourism on 
     the United States trade balance and, as specifically as 
     practicable, analysis of the impact on the trade balance of 
     expenditures made pursuant to this section; and
       (E) an analysis of other relevant economic impacts as a 
     result of expenditures made pursuant to this section.

     SEC. 523. EQUIVALENCY OF FAA AND EU SAFETY STANDARDS

       The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     shall determine whether the Administration's safety 
     regulations are equivalent to the safety standards set forth 
     in European Union Directive 89/336EEC. If the Administrator 
     determines that the standards are equivalent, the 
     Administrator shall work with the Secretary of Commerce to 
     gain acceptance of that determination pursuant to the Mutual 
     Recognition Agreement between the United States and the 
     European Union of May 18, 1998, in order to ensure that 
     aviation products approved by the Administration are 
     acceptable under that Directive.

     SEC. 524. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON PROPERTY TAXES ON PUBLIC-USE 
                   AIRPORTS,

       It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) property taxes on public-use airports should be 
     assessed fairly and equitably, regardless of the location of 
     the owner of the airport; and
       (2) the property tax recently assessed on the City of The 
     Dalles, Oregon, as the owner and operator of the Columbia 
     Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport, located in the 
     State of Washington, should be repealed.

     SEC. 525. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL 
                   MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

       (a) Applicability of Merit Systems Protection Board 
     Provisions.--Section 347(b) of the Department of 
     Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 
     (109 Stat. 460) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and 
     inserting a semicolon and ``and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end thereof the following:
       ``(8) sections 1204, 1211-1218, 1221, and 7701-7703, 
     relating to the Merit Systems Protection Board.''.
       (b) Appeals to Merit Systems Protection Board.--Section 
     347(c) of the Department of Transportation and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(c) Appeals to Merit System Protection Board.--Under the 
     new personnel management system developed and implemented 
     under subsection (a), an employee of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration may submit an appeal to the Merit Systems 
     Protection Board and may seek judicial review of any 
     resulting final orders or decisions of the Board from any 
     action that was appealable to the Board under any law, 
     rule, or regulation as of March 31, 1996.''.

[[Page S10848]]

     SEC 526. AIRCRAFT AND AVIATION COMPONENT REPAIR AND 
                   MAINTENANCE ADVISORY PANEL.

       (a) Establishment of Panel.--The Administrator of the 
     Federal Aviation Administration--
       (1) shall establish an Aircraft Repair and Maintenance 
     Advisory Panel to review issues related to the use and 
     oversight of aircraft and aviation component repair and 
     maintenance facilities located within, or outside of, the 
     United States; and
       (2) may seek the advice of the panel on any issue related 
     to methods to improve the safety of domestic or foreign 
     contract aircraft and aviation component repair facilities.
       (b) Membership.--The panel shall consist of--
       (1) 8 members, appointed by the Administrator as follows:
       (A) 3 representatives of labor organizations representing 
     aviation mechanics;
       (B) 1 representative of cargo air carriers;
       (C) 1 representative of passenger air carriers;
       (D) 1 representative of aircraft and aviation component 
     repair stations;
       (E) 1 representative of aircraft manufacturers; and
       (F) 1 representative of the aviation industry not described 
     in the preceding subparagraphs;
       (2) 1 representative from the Department of Transportation, 
     designated by the Secretary of Transportation;
       (3) 1 representative from the Department of State, 
     designated by the Secretary of State; and
       (4) 1 representative from the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, designated by the Administrator.
       (c) Responsibilities.--The panel shall--
       (1) determine how much aircraft and aviation component 
     repair work and what type of aircraft and aviation component 
     repair work is being performed by aircraft and aviation 
     component repair stations located within, and outside of, the 
     United States to better understand and analyze methods to 
     improve the safety and oversight of such facilities; and
       (2) provide advice and counsel to the Administrator with 
     respect to aircraft and aviation component repair work 
     performed by those stations, staffing needs, and any safety 
     issues associated with that work.
       (d) FAA To Request Information From Foreign Aircraft Repair 
     Stations.--
       (1) Collection of information.--The Administrator shall by 
     regulation request aircraft and aviation component repair 
     stations located outside the United States to submit such 
     information as the Administrator may require in order to 
     assess safety issues and enforcement actions with respect to 
     the work performed at those stations on aircraft used by 
     United States air carriers.
       (2) Drug and alcohol testing information.--Included in the 
     information the Administrator requests under paragraph (1) 
     shall be information on the existence and administration of 
     employee drug and alcohol testing programs in place at such 
     stations, if applicable.
       (3) Description of work done.--Included in the information 
     the Administrator requests under paragraph (1) shall be 
     information on the amount and type of aircraft and aviation 
     component repair work performed at those stations on aircraft 
     registered in the United States.
       (e) FAA To Request Information About Domestic Aircraft 
     Repair Stations.--If the Administrator determines that 
     information on the volume of the use of domestic aircraft and 
     aviation component repair stations is needed in order better 
     to utilize Federal Aviation Administration resources, the 
     Administrator may--
       (1) require United States air carriers to submit the 
     information described in subsection (d) with respect to their 
     use of contract and non-contract aircraft and aviation 
     component repair facilities located in the United States; and
       (2) obtain information from such stations about work 
     performed for foreign air carriers.
       (f) FAA To Make Information Available to Public.--The 
     Administrator shall make any information received under 
     subsection (d) or (e) available to the public.
       (g) Termination.--The panel established under subsection 
     (a) shall terminate on the earlier of--
       (1) the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of 
     this Act; or
       (2) December 31, 2000.
       (h) Annual Report to Congress.--The Administrator shall 
     report annually to the Congress on the number and location of 
     air agency certificates that were revoked, suspended, or not 
     renewed during the preceding year.
       (i) Definitions.--Any term used in this section that is 
     defined in subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, has 
     the meaning given that term in that subtitle.

     SEC. 527. REPORT ON ENHANCED DOMESTIC AIRLINE COMPETITION.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) There has been a reduction in the level of competition 
     in the domestic airline business brought about by mergers, 
     consolidations, and proposed domestic alliances.
       (2) Foreign citizens and foreign air carriers may be 
     willing to invest in existing or start-up airlines if they 
     are permitted to acquire a larger equity share of a United 
     States airline.
       (b) Study.--the Secretary of Transportation, after 
     consulting the appropriate Federal agencies, shall study and 
     report to the Congress not later than December 31, 1998, on 
     the desirability and implications of--
       (1) decreasing the foreign ownership provisions in section 
     40102(a)(15) of title 49, United States Code, to 51 percent 
     from 75 percent; and
       (2) changing the definition of air carrier in section 
     40102(a)(2) of such title by substituting ``a company whose 
     principal place of business is in the United States'' for ``a 
     citizen of the United States''.

     SEC. 528. AIRCRAFT SITUATIONAL DISPLAY DATA.

       (a) In General.--A memorandum of agreement between the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and any 
     person that obtains aircraft situational display data from 
     the Administration shall require that--
       (1) the person demonstrate to the satisfaction of the 
     Administrator that such person is capable of selectively 
     blocking aircraft registration numbers of any aircraft; and
       (2) the person agree to block selectively the aircraft 
     registration numbers of any aircraft owner or operator upon 
     that owner or operator's request within 30 days after 
     receiving the request.
       (b) Termination for Noncompliance.--If any person obtaining 
     such data under such a memorandum of agreement fails to block 
     such numbers within 30 days after receiving a request 
     described in subsection (a)(2), then the memorandum of 
     agreement will terminate immediately.
       (c) Existing Memoranda To Be Conformed.--the Administrator 
     shall conform any memoranda of agreement, in effect on the 
     date of enactment of this Act, between the Administration and 
     a person under which that person obtains such data to 
     incorporate the requirements of subsection (a) within 30 days 
     after that date.
       On page 146, line 13, insert ``of chapter 417'' after 
     ``Subchapter II''.
       On page 157, strike lines 14 through 23, and insert the 
     following:
       To carry out sections 41743 through 41746 of title 49, 
     United States Code, for the 4 fiscal-year period beginning 
     with fiscal year 1999--
       (1) there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Transportation not more than $10,000,000; and
       (2) not more than $20,000,000 shall be made available, if 
     available, to the Secretary for obligation and expenditure 
     out of the account established under section 45303(a) of 
     title 49, United States Code.

     To the extent that amounts are not available in such account, 
     there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to provide the amount authorized to be obligated 
     under paragraph (2) to carry out those sections for that 4 
     fiscal-year period.

       On page 157, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out section 41747 of title 
     49, United States Code.
       On page 159, beginning with line 3, strike through line 22 
     on page 167 and insert the following:

     SEC. 606. SLOT EXEMPTIONS FOR NONSTOP REGIONAL JET SERVICE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 417 is amended 
     by--
       (1) redesignating section 41715 as 41716; and
       (2) inserting after section 41714 the following:

     ``Sec. 41715. Slot exemption for nonstop regional jet 
       service.

       ``(a) In General.--Within 90 days after receiving an 
     application for an exemption to provide nonstop regional jet 
     air service between--
       ``(1) an airport that is smaller than a large hub airport 
     (as defined in section 47134(d)(2)); and
       ``(2) a high density airport subject to the exemption 
     authority under section 41714(a), the Secretary of 
     Transportation shall grant or deny the exemption in 
     accordance with established principles of safety and the 
     promotion of competition.
       ``(b) Existing Slots Taken Into Account.--In deciding to 
     grant or deny an exemption under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary may take into consideration the slots and slot 
     exemptions already used by the applicant.
       ``(c) Conditions.--The Secretary may grant an exemption to 
     an air carrier under subsection (a)--
       ``(1) for a period of not less than 12 months;
       ``(2) for a minimum of 2 daily roundtrip flights; and
       ``(3) for a maximum of 3 daily roundtrip flights.
       ``(d) Change of Nonhub, Small Hub, or Medium Hub Airport; 
     Jet Aircraft.--The Secretary may, upon application made by an 
     air carrier operating under an exemption granted under 
     subsection (a)--
       ``(1) authorize the air carrier or an affiliated air 
     carrier to upgrade service under the exemption to a larger 
     jet aircraft; or
       ``(2) authorize an air carrier operating under such an 
     exemption to change the nonhub airport or small hub airport 
     for which the exemption was granted to provide the same 
     service to a different airport that is smaller than a large 
     hub airport (as defined in section 47134(d)(2)) if--
       ``(A) the air carrier has been operating under the 
     exemption for a period of not less than 12 months; and
       ``(B) the air carrier can demonstrate unmitigatable losses.
       ``(e) Forfeiture for Misuse.--Any exemption granted under 
     subsection (a) shall be

[[Page S10849]]

     terminated immediately by the Secretary if the air carrier to 
     which it was granted uses the slot for any purpose other than 
     the purpose for which it was granted or in violation of the 
     conditions under which it was granted.
       ``(f) Restoration of Air Service.--To the extent that--
       ``(1) slots were withdrawn from an air carrier under 
     section 41714(b);
       ``(2) the withdrawal of slots under that section resulted 
     in a net loss of slots; and
       ``(3) the net loss of slots and slot exemptions resulting 
     from the withdrawal had an adverse effect on service to 
     nonhub airports and in other domestic markets,

     the Secretary shall give priority consideration to the 
     request of any air carrier from which slots were withdrawn 
     under that section for an equivalent number of slots at the 
     airport where the slots were withdrawn. No priority 
     consideration shall be given under this subsection to an air 
     carrier described in paragraph (1) when the net loss of slots 
     and slot exemptions is eliminated.
       ``(g) Priority to New Entrants and Limited Incumbent 
     Carriers.--
       ``(1) In general.--In granting slot exemptions under this 
     section the Secretary shall, in conjunction with subsection 
     (f), give priority consideration to an application from an 
     air carrier that, as of July 1, 1998, operated or held fewer 
     than 20 slots or slot exemptions at the high density airport 
     for which it filed an exemption application.
       ``(2) Limitation.--No priority may be given under paragraph 
     (1) to an air carrier that, at the time of application, 
     operates or holds 20 or more slots and slot exemptions at the 
     airport for which the exemption application is filed.
       ``(3) Affiliated carriers.--The Secretary shall treat all 
     commuter air carriers that have cooperative agreements, 
     including code-share agreements, with other air carriers 
     equally for determining eligibility for exemptions under this 
     section regardless of the form of the corporate relationship 
     between the commuter air carrier and the other air carrier.
       ``(h) Stage 3 aircraft required.--An exemption may not be 
     granted under this section with respect to any aircraft that 
     is not a Stage 3 aircraft (as defined by the Secretary).
       ``(i) Regional Jet Defined.--In this section--
       ``(1) Regional jet.--The term `regional jet' means a 
     passenger, turbofan-powered aircraft carrying not fewer than 
     30 and not more than 50 passengers.
       ``(2) Other terms.--Any term used in this section that is 
     defined in section 41762 has the meaning given that term by 
     section 41762.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 40102 is amended by inserting after paragraph 
     (28) the following: ``(28A) Limited incumbent air carrier.--
     The term `limited incumbent air carrier' has the meaning 
     given that term in subpart S of part 93 of title 14, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, except that `20' shall be substituted 
     for `12' in sections 93.213(a)(5), 93.223(c)(3), and 
     93.226(h) as such sections were in effect on August 1, 
     1998.''.
       (2) The chapter analysis for chapter 417 is amended by 
     striking the item relating to section 41716 and inserting the 
     following:
``41715. Slot exemptions for nonstop regional jet service.
``41716. Air service termination notice.''.

     SEC. 607. EXEMPTIONS TO PERIMETER RULE AT RONALD REAGAN 
                   WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 417, as amended by 
     section 606, is amended by--
       (1) redesignating section 41716 as 41717; and
       (2) inserting after section 41715 the following:

     ``Sec. 41716. Special Rules for Ronald Reagan Washington 
       National Airport

       ``(a) Beyond-perimeter Exemptions.--In addition to any 
     exemption granted under section 41714(d), the Secretary shall 
     by order grant exemptions from the application of sections 
     49104(a)(5), 49109, 49111(e), and 41714 of this title to air 
     carriers to operate limited frequencies and aircraft on 
     select routes between Ronald Reagan Washington National 
     Airport and domestic hub airports of such carriers and 
     exemptions from the requirements of subparts K and S of part 
     93, Code of Federal Regulations, if the Secretary finds that 
     the exemptions will--
       ``(1) provide air transportation service with domestic 
     network benefits in areas beyond the perimeter described in 
     that section; and
       ``(2) increase competition in multiple markets.
       ``(b) Within-perimeter Exemptions.--In addition to any 
     exemption granted under section 41714(d) or subsection (a) of 
     this section, the Secretary shall by order grant exemptions 
     from the requirements of sections 49104(a)(5), 49111(e), and 
     41714 of this title and subparts K and S of part 93 of title 
     14, Code of Federal Regulations, to commuter air carriers for 
     service to airports smaller than large hub airports (as 
     defined in section 47134(d)(2)) within the perimeter 
     established for civil aircraft operations at Ronald Reagan 
     Washington National Airport under section 49109. The 
     Secretary shall develop criteria for distributing slot 
     exemptions for flights within their perimeter to airports 
     other than large hubs under this paragraph in a manner 
     consistent with the promotion of air transportation.
       ``(c) Limitations.--
       ``(1) Stage 3 aircraft required.--An exemption may not be 
     granted under this section with respect to any aircraft that 
     is not a Stage 3 aircraft (as defined by the Secretary).
       ``(2) General exemptions.--An exemption granted under 
     subsection (a) may not--
       ``(A) increase the number of operations at Ronald Reagan 
     Washington National Airport in any 1-hour period during the 
     hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. by more than 2 
     operations; or
       ``(B) result in the withdrawal or reduction of slots 
     operated by an air carrier.
       ``(3) Additional exemptions.--The Secretary shall grant 
     exemptions under subsections (a) and (b) that--
       ``(A) will result in 12 additional daily air carrier slot 
     exemptions at such airport for long-haul service beyond the 
     perimeter;
       ``(B) will result in 12 additional daily commuter slot 
     exemptions at such airport; and
       ``(C) will not result in additional daily commuter slot 
     exemptions for service to any within-the-perimeter airport 
     that is not smaller than a large hub airport (as defined in 
     section 47134(d)(2)).
       ``(4) Review of safety, environmental, and noise impact.--
     The Secretary shall assess the impact of granting exemptions 
     under subsections (a) and (b) on the environment (including 
     noise levels) and safety during the first 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of the Wendell H. Ford National Air 
     Transportation System Improvement Act of 1998. The 
     environmental assessment shall be carried out in 
     accordance with parts 1500-1508 of title 40, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, including a public meeting.
       ``(5) Applicability with exemption 5133.--Nothing in this 
     section affects Exemption No. 5133, as from time-to-time 
     amended and extended.''.
       (b) Override of MWAA Restriction.--Section 49104(a)(5) is 
     amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
       ``(D) Subparagraph (C) does not apply to any increase in 
     the number of instrument flight rule takeoffs and landings 
     necessary to implement exemptions granted by the Secretary 
     under section 41716.''.
       (c) MWAA Noise-related Grant Assurances.--
       (1) In general.--In addition to any condition for approval 
     of an airport development project that is the subject of a 
     grant application submitted to the Secretary of 
     Transportation under chapter 471 of title 49, United States 
     Code, by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the 
     Authority shall be required to submit a written assurance 
     that, for each such grant made to the Authority for fiscal 
     year 1999 or any subsequent fiscal year--
       (A) the Authority will make available for that fiscal year 
     funds for noise compatibility planning and programs that are 
     eligible to receive funding under chapter 471 of title 49, 
     United States Code, in an amount not less than 10 percent of 
     the aggregate annual amount of financial assistance provided 
     to the Authority by the Secretary as grants under chapter 471 
     of title 49, United States Code; and
       (B) the Authority will not divert funds from a high 
     priority safety project in order to make funds available for 
     noise compatibility planning and programs.
       (2) Waiver.--The Secretary of Transportation may waive the 
     requirements of paragraph (1) for any fiscal year for which 
     the Secretary determines that no additional noise mitigation 
     is necessary at or around Ronald Reagan Washington National 
     Airport.
       (3) Sunset.--This subsection shall cease to be in effect 5 
     years after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Noise Compatibility Planning and Programs.--Section 
     47117(e) is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
     following:
       ``(3) In making grants under paragraph (1)(A), the 
     Secretary shall give priority to applications for airport 
     noise compatibility planning and programs at and around 
     airports where operations increase under title VI of the 
     Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System 
     Improvement Act of 1998 and the amendments made by that 
     title.''.
       (e) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 49111 is amended by striking subsection(e).
       (2) The chapter analysis for chapter 417, as amended by 
     section 606(b) of this Act, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 41716 and inserting the following:
``41716. Special Rules for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
``41717. Air service termination notice.''.
       (d) Report.--Within 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Secretary shall 
     certify to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation, the United States House of 
     Representatives Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure, the Governments of Maryland, Virginia, and 
     West Virginia and the Washington D.C. Council of Governments 
     that noise standards, air traffic congestion, airport-
     related vehicular congestion, safety standards, and 
     adequate air service to communities served by small hub 
     airports and medium hub airports within the perimeter 
     described in section 49109 of title 49, United States 
     Code, have been maintained at appropriate levels.

     SEC. 608. ADDITIONAL SLOT EXEMPTIONS AT CHICAGO O'HARE 
                   INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 417, as amended by section 607, is 
     amended by--
       (1) redesignating section 41717 as 41718; and

[[Page S10850]]

       (2) inserting after section 41716 the following:

     ``Sec. 41717. Special Rules for Chicago O'Hare International 
       Airport

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
     grant 30 slot exemptions over a 3-year period beginning on 
     the date of enactment of the Wendell H. Ford National Air 
     Transportation System Improvement Act of 1998 at Chicago 
     O'Hare International Airport.
       ``(b) Equipment and Service Requirements.--
       ``(1) Stage 3 aircraft required.--An exemption may not be 
     granted under this section with respect to any aircraft that 
     is not a Stage 3 aircraft (as defined by the Secretary).
       ``(2) Service provided.--Of the exemptions granted under 
     subsection (a)--
       ``(A) 18 shall be used only for service to underserved 
     markets, of which no fewer than 6 shall be designated as 
     commuter slot exemptions; and
       ``(B) 12 shall be air carrier slot exemptions.
       ``(c) Procedural Requirements.--Before granting additional 
     exemptions under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) conduct an environmental review, taking noise into 
     account, and determine that the granting of the additional 
     exemptions will not cause a significant increase in noise;
       ``(2) determine whether capacity is available and can be 
     used safely and, if the Secretary so determines then so 
     certify;
       ``(3) give 30 days notice to the public through publication 
     in the Federal Register of the Secretary's intent to grant 
     the additional exemptions; and
       ``(4) consult with appropriate officers of the State and 
     local government on any related noise and environmental 
     issues.
       ``(d) Underserved Market Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `service to underserved markets' means passenger air 
     transportation service to an airport that is a nonhub airport 
     or a small hub airport (as defined in paragraphs (4) and (5), 
     respectively, of section 41731(a)).''.
       (b) Studies.--
       (1) 3-year report.--The Secretary shall study and submit a 
     report 3 years after the first exemption granted under 
     section 41717(a) of title 49, United States Code, is first 
     used on the impact of the additional slots on the safety, 
     environment, noise, access to underserved markets, and 
     competition at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
       (2) DOT study in 2000.--The Secretary of Transportation 
     shall study community noise levels in the areas surrounding 
     the 4 high-density airports after the 100 percent Stage 3 
     fleet requirements are in place, and compare those levels 
     with the levels in such areas before 1991.
        (c) Conforming Amendment.--The chapter analysis for 
     chapter 417, as amended by section 607(b) of this Act, is 
     amended by striking the item relating to section 41717 and 
     inserting the following:
``41717. Special Rules for Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
``41718. Air service termination notice.''.
       On page 168, line 7, strike ``417'' and insert ``417, as 
     amended by section 608,''.
       On page 168, line 9, strike ``41716.'' and insert 
     ``41719.''
       On page 173, line 1, strike ``RURAL''.
       On page 173, strike lines 3 through 14 and insert the 
     following:
       The General Accounting Office shall conduct a study of the 
     current state of the national airport network and its ability 
     to meet the air transportation needs of the United States 
     over the next 15 years. The study shall include airports 
     located in remote communities and reliever airports. In 
     assessing the effectiveness of the system the Comptroller 
     General may consider airport runway length of 5,500 feet or 
     the equivalent altitude-adjusted length, air traffic control 
     facilities, and navigational aids.
       On page 189, line 2, strike ``40125'' and insert ``40126''.
       On page 189, line 9, strike ``40125'' and insert ``40126''.
       On page 189, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:
       (3) Compliance with other regulations.--For purposes of 
     section 40126 of title 49, United States Code--
       (A) regulations issued by the Secretary of Transportation 
     and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     under section 3 of Public Law 100-91 (16 U.S.C. 1a-1, note); 
     and
       (B) commercial air tour operations carried out in 
     compliance with the requirements of those regulations,

     shall be deemed to meet the requirements of such section 
     40126.
       On page 191, strike lines 1 through 5 and insert the 
     following:
       ``(2) on the designation of appropriate and feasible quiet 
     aircraft technology standards for quiet aircraft technologies 
     under development for commercial purposes, which will receive 
     preferential treatment in a given air tour management plan;
       On page 192, after line 22, insert the following:

     SEC. 705. PROHIBITION OF COMMERCIAL AIR TOURS OVER THE ROCKY 
                   MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

       Effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, 
     no commercial air tour may be operated in the airspace over 
     the Rocky Mountain National Park notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this Act or section 40126 of title 49, United 
     States Code, as added by this Act.
       On page 193, strike lines 1 through 12 and insert the 
     following:

             TITLE VIII--CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT COMMEMORATION

     SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Centennial of Flight 
     Commemoration Act''

     SEC. 802. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) December 17, 2003, is the 100th anniversary of the 
     first successful manned, free, controlled, and sustained 
     flight by a power-driven, heavier-than-air machine;
       (2) the first flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright 
     represents the fulfillment of the age-old dream of flying;
       (3) the airplane has dramatically changed the course of 
     transportation, commerce, communication, and warfare 
     throughout the world;
       (4) the achievement by the Wright brothers stands as a 
     triumph of American ingenuity, inventiveness, and diligence 
     in developing new technologies, and remains an inspiration 
     for all Americans;
       (5) it is appropriate to remember and renew the legacy of 
     the Wright brothers at a time when the values of creativity 
     and daring represented by the Wright brothers are critical to 
     the future of the Nation; and
       (6) as the Nation approaches the 100th anniversary of 
     powered flight, it is appropriate to celebrate and 
     commemorate the centennial year through local, national, and 
     international observances and activities.

     SEC. 803. ESTABLISHMENT.

       There is established a commission to be known as the 
     Centennial of Flight Commission.

     SEC. 804. MEMBERSHIP.

       (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 6 members, as follows:
       (1) The Director of the National Air and Space Museum of 
     the Smithsonian Institute or his designee.
       (2) The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration or his designee.
       (3) The chairman of the First Flight Centennial Foundation 
     of North Carolina, or his designee.
       (4) The chairman of the 2003 Committee of Ohio, or his 
     designee.
       (5) As chosen by the Commission, the president or head of a 
     United States aeronautical society, foundation, or 
     organization of national stature or prominence who will be a 
     person from a State other than Ohio or North Carolina.
       (6) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, or his designee.
       (b) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall be 
     filled in the same manner in which the original designation 
     was made.
       (c) Compensation.--
       (1) Prohibition of pay.--Except as provided in paragraph 
     (2), members of the Commission shall serve without pay or 
     compensation.
       (2) Travel expenses.--The Commission may adopt a policy, 
     only by unanimous vote, for members of the Commission and 
     related advisory panels to receive travel expenses, including 
     per diem in lieu of subsistence. The policy may not exceed 
     the levels established under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 
     5, United States Code. Members who are Federal employees 
     shall not receive travel expenses if otherwise reimbursed by 
     the Federal Government.
       (d) Quorum.--Three members of the Commission shall 
     constitute a quorum.
       (e) Chairperson.--The Commission shall select a Chairperson 
     of the Commission from the members designated under 
     subsection (a)(1), (2), or (5). The Chairperson may not vote 
     on matters before the Commission except in the case of a tie 
     vote. The Chairperson may be removed by a vote of a majority 
     of the Commission's members.
       (f) Organization.--No later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall meet and select a 
     Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Executive Director.

     SEC. 805. DUTIES.

       (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
       (1) represent the United States and take a leadership role 
     with other nations in recognizing the importance of aviation 
     history in general and the centennial of powered flight in 
     particular, and promote participation by the United States in 
     such activities;
       (2) encourage and promote national and international 
     participation and sponsorships in commemoration of the 
     centennial of powered flight by persons and entities such 
     as--
       (A) aerospace manufacturing companies;
       (B) aerospace-related military organizations;
       (C) workers employed in aerospace-related industries;
       (D) commercial aviation companies;
       (E) general aviation owners and pilots;
       (F) aerospace researchers, instructors, and enthusiasts;
       (G) elementary, secondary, and higher educational 
     institutions;
       (H) civil, patriotic, educational, sporting, arts, 
     cultural, and historical organizations and technical 
     societies;
       (I) aerospace-related museums; and
       (J) State and local governments;
       (3) plan and develop, in coordination with the First Flight 
     Centennial Commission, the First Flight Centennial Foundation 
     of North Carolina, and the 2003 Committee of Ohio, programs 
     and activities that are appropriate to commemorate the 100th 
     anniversary of powered flight;

[[Page S10851]]

       (4) maintain, publish, and distribute a calendar or 
     register of national and international programs and projects 
     concerning, and provide a central clearinghouse for, 
     information and coordination regarding, dates, events, and 
     places of historical and commemorative significance regarding 
     aviation history in general and the centennial of powered 
     flight in particular;
       (5) provide national coordination for celebration dates to 
     take place throughout the United States during the centennial 
     year;
       (6) assist in conducting educational, civic, and 
     commemorative activities relating to the centennial of 
     powered flight throughout the United States, especially 
     activities that occur in the States of North Carolina and 
     Ohio and that highlight the activities of the Wright brothers 
     in such States; and
       (7) encourage the publication of popular and scholarly 
     works related to the history of aviation or the anniversary 
     of the centennial of powered flight.
       (b) Nonduplication of Activities.--The Commission shall 
     attempt to plan and conduct its activities in such a manner 
     that activities conducted pursuant to this title enhance, but 
     do not duplicate, traditional and established activities of 
     Ohio's 2003 Committee, North Carolina's First Flight 
     Centennial Commission, the First Flight Centennial 
     Foundation, or any organization of national stature or 
     prominence.

     SEC. 806. POWERS.

       (a) Advisory Committees and Task Forces.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission may appoint any advisory 
     committee or task force from among the membership of the 
     Advisory Board in section 812.
       (2) Federal cooperation.--To ensure the overall success of 
     the Commission's efforts, the Commission may call upon 
     various Federal departments and agencies to assist in and 
     give support to the programs of the Commission. The head of 
     the Federal department or agency, where appropriate, shall 
     furnish the information or assistance requested by the 
     Commission, unless prohibited by law.
       (3) Prohibition of pay other than travel expenses.--Members 
     of an advisory committee or task force authorized under 
     paragraph (1) shall not receive pay, but may receive travel 
     expenses pursuant to the policy adopted by the Commission 
     under section 804(c)(2).
       (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of 
     the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any 
     action that the Commission is authorized to take under this 
     title.
       (c) Authority to Procure and To Make Legal Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision in 
     this title, only the Commission may procure supplies, 
     services, and property, and make or enter into leases and 
     other legal agreements in order to carry out this title.
       (2) Restriction.--
       (A) In general.--A contract, lease, or other legal 
     agreement made or entered into by the Commission may not 
     extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission.
       (B) Federal support.--The Commission shall obtain property, 
     equipment, and office space from the General Services 
     Administration or the Smithsonian Institution, unless other 
     office space, property, or equipment is less costly.
       (3) Supplies and property possessed by commission at 
     termination.--Any supplies and property, except historically 
     significant items, that are acquired by the Commission under 
     this title and remain in the possession of the Commission on 
     the date of the termination of the Commission shall become 
     the property of the General Services Administration upon the 
     date of termination.
       (d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
     in the same manner and under the same conditions as any other 
     Federal agency.

     SEC. 807. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

       (a) Executive Director.--There shall be an Executive 
     Director appointed by the Commission and chosen from among 
     detailees from the agencies and organizations represented on 
     the Commission. The Executive Director may be paid at a rate 
     not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay payable for the 
     Senior Executive Service.
       (b) Staff.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of 
     any additional personnel that it considers appropriate, 
     except that an individual appointed under this subsection may 
     not receive pay in excess of the maximum rate of basic pay 
     payable for GS-14 of the General Schedule.
       (c) Inapplicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The 
     Executive Director and staff of the Commission may be 
     appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United 
     States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
     service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of 
     chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, 
     relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, 
     except as provided under subsections (a) and (b) of this 
     section.
       (d) Merit System Principles.--The appointment of the 
     Executive Director or any personnel of the Commission under 
     subsection (a) or (b) shall be made consistent with the merit 
     system principles under section 2301 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (e) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request by the 
     Chairperson of the Commission, the head of any Federal 
     department or agency may detail, on either a nonreimbursable 
     or reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the department 
     or agency to the Commission to assist the Commission to carry 
     out its duties under this title.
       (f) Administrative Support Services.--
       (1) Reimbursable services.--The Secretary of the 
     Smithsonian Institution may provide to the Commission on a 
     reimbursable basis any administrative support services that 
     are necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this 
     title.
       (2) Nonreimbursable services.--The Secretary may provide 
     administrative support services to the Commission on a 
     nonreimbursable basis when, in the opinion of the Secretary, 
     the value of such services is insignificant or not practical 
     to determine.
       (g) Cooperative Agreements.--The Commission may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with other Federal agencies, State and 
     local governments, and private interests and organizations 
     that will contribute to public awareness of and interest 
     in the centennial of powered flight and toward furthering 
     the goals and purposes of this title.
       (h) Program Support.--The Commission may receive program 
     support from the non-profit sector.

     SEC. 808. CONTRIBUTIONS.

       (a) Donations.--The Commission may accept donations of 
     personal services and historic materials relating to the 
     implementation of its responsibilities under the provisions 
     of this title.
       (b) Volunteer Services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
     title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and 
     use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission 
     determines necessary.
       (c) Remaining Funds.--Any funds (including funds received 
     from licensing royalties) remaining with the Commission on 
     the date of the termination of the Commission may be used to 
     ensure proper disposition, as specified in the final report 
     required under section 810(b), of historically significant 
     property which was donated to or acquired by the Commission. 
     Any funds remaining after such disposition shall be 
     transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit into 
     the general fund of the Treasury of the United States.

     SEC. 809. EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NAME, LOGOS, EMBLEMS, SEALS, AND 
                   MARKS.

       (a) In General.--The Commission may devise any logo, 
     emblem, seal, or descriptive or designating mark that is 
     required to carry out its duties or that it determines is 
     appropriate for use in connection with the commemoration of 
     the centennial of powered flight.
       (b) Licensing.--The Commission shall have the sole and 
     exclusive right to use, or to allow or refuse the use of, the 
     name ``Centennial of Flight Commission'' on any logo, emblem, 
     seal, or descriptive or designating mark that the Commission 
     lawfully adopts.
       (c) Effect on Other Rights.--No provision of this section 
     may be construed to conflict or interfere with established or 
     vested rights.
       (d) Use of Funds.--Funds from licensing royalties received 
     pursuant to this section shall be used by the Commission to 
     carry out the duties of the Commission specified by this 
     title.
       (e) Licensing Rights.--All exclusive licensing rights, 
     unless otherwise specified, shall revert to the Air and Space 
     Museum of the Smithsonian Institution upon termination of the 
     Commission.

     SEC. 810. REPORTS.

       (a) Annual Report.--In each fiscal year in which the 
     Commission is in existence, the Commission shall prepare and 
     submit to Congress a report describing the activities of the 
     Commission during the fiscal year. Each annual report shall 
     also include--
       (1) recommendations regarding appropriate activities to 
     commemorate the centennial of powered flight, including--
       (A) the production, publication, and distribution of books, 
     pamphlets, films, and other educational materials;
       (B) bibliographical and documentary projects and 
     publications;
       (C) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, and 
     other similar programs;
       (D) the development of exhibits for libraries, museums, and 
     other appropriate institutions;
       (E) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific 
     events that relate to the history of aviation;
       (F) programs focusing on the history of aviation and its 
     benefits to the United States and humankind; and
       (G) competitions, commissions, and awards regarding 
     historical, scholarly, artistic, literary, musical, and other 
     works, programs, and projects related to the centennial of 
     powered flight;
       (2) recommendations to appropriate agencies or advisory 
     bodies regarding the issuance of commemorative coins, medals, 
     and stamps by the United States relating to aviation or the 
     centennial of powered flight;
       (3) recommendations for any legislation or administrative 
     action that the Commission determines to be appropriate 
     regarding the commemoration of the centennial of powered 
     flight;
       (4) an accounting of funds received and expended by the 
     Commission in the fiscal year that the report concerns, 
     including a detailed description of the source and amount of 
     any funds donated to the Commission in the fiscal year; and
       (5) an accounting of any cooperative agreements and 
     contract agreements entered into by the Commission.

[[Page S10852]]

       (b) Final Report.--Not later than June 30, 2004, the 
     Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a final 
     report. The final report shall contain--
       (1) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
       (2) a final accounting of funds received and expended by 
     the Commission;
       (3) any findings and conclusions of the Commission; and
       (4) specific recommendations concerning the final 
     disposition of any historically significant items acquired by 
     the Commission, including items donated to the Commission 
     under section 808(a)(1).

     SEC. 811. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.

       (A) In General.--
       (1) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall audit on an annual basis the financial transactions of 
     the Commission, including financial transactions involving 
     donated funds, in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
     standards.
       (2) Access.--In conducting an audit under this section, the 
     Comptroller General--
       (A) shall have access to all books, accounts, financial 
     records, reports, files, and other papers, items, or property 
     in use by the Commission, as necessary to facilitate the 
     audit; and
       (B) shall be afforded full facilities for verifying the 
     financial transactions of the Commission, including access to 
     any financial records or securities held for the Commission 
     by depositories, fiscal agents, or custodians.
       (b) Final Report.--Not later than September 30, 2004, the 
     Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
     President and to Congress a report detailing the results of 
     any audit of the financial transactions of the Commission 
     conducted by the Comptroller General.

     SEC. 812. ADVISORY BOARD.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a First Flight 
     Centennial Federal Advisory Board.
       (b) Number and Appointment.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall be composed of 19 members 
     as follows:
       (A) The Secretary of the Interior, or the designee of the 
     Secretary.
       (B) The Librarian of Congress, or the designee of the 
     Librarian.
       (C) The Secretary of the Air Force, or the designee of the 
     Secretary.
       (D) The Secretary of the Navy, or the designee of the 
     Secretary.
       (E) The Secretary of Transportation, or the designee of the 
     Secretary.
       (F) Six citizens of the United States, appointed by the 
     President, who--
       (i) are not officers or employees of any government (except 
     membership on the Board shall not be construed to apply to 
     the limitation under this clause); and
       (ii) shall be selected based on their experience in the 
     fields of aerospace history, science, or education, or their 
     ability to represent the entities enumerated under section 
     805(a)(2).
       (G) Four citizens of the United States, appointed by the 
     majority leader of the Senate in consultation with the 
     minority leader of the Senate.
       (H) Four citizens of the United States, appointed by the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with 
     the minority leader of the House of Representatives. Of the 
     individuals appointed under this subparagraph--
       (i) one shall be selected from among individuals 
     recommended by the representative whose district encompasses 
     the Wright Brothers National Memorial; and
       (ii) one shall be selected from among individuals 
     recommended by the representatives whose districts encompass 
     any part of the Dayton Heritage National Historical Park.
       (c) Vacanies.--Any vacancy in the Advisory Board shall be 
     filled in the same manner in which the original designation 
     was made.
       (d) Meetings.--Seven members of the Advisory Board shall 
     constitute a quorum for a meeting. All meetings shall be open 
     to the public.
       (e) Chairperson.--The President shall designate 1 member 
     appointed under subsection (b)(1)(F) as chairperson of the 
     Advisory Board.
       (f) Mails.--The Advisory Board may use the United States 
     mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as a 
     Federal agency.
       (g) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall advise the Commission 
     on matters related to this title.
       (h) Prohibition of Compensation Other Than Travel 
     Expenses.--Members of the Advisory Board shall not receive 
     pay, but may receive travel expenses pursuant to the policy 
     adopted by the Commission under section 804(e).
       (i) Termination.--The Advisory Board shall terminate upon 
     the termination of the Commission.

     SEC. 813. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Advisory Board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the 
     Centennial of Flight Federal Advisory Board.
       (2) Centennial of Powered Flight.--The term ``centennial of 
     powered flight'' means the anniversary year, from December 
     2002 to December 2003, commemorating the 100-year history of 
     aviation beginning with the First Flight and highlighting the 
     achievements of the Wright brothers in developing the 
     technologies which have led to the development of aviation as 
     it is known today.
       (3) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
     Centennial of Flight Commission.
       (4) Designee.--The term ``designee'' means a person from 
     the respective entity of each entity represented on the 
     Commission or Advisory Board.
       (5) First flight.--The term ``First Flight'' means the 
     first four successful manned, free, controlled, and sustained 
     flights by a power-driven, heavier-than-air machine, which 
     were accomplished by Orville and Wilbur Wright of Dayton, 
     Ohio on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

     SEC. 814. TERMINATION.

       The Commission shall terminate not later than 60 days after 
     the submission of the final report required by section 810(b) 
     and shall transfer all documents and material to the National 
     Archives or other appropriate Federal entity.

     SEC. 815. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title--
       (1) $250,000 for fiscal year 1999;
       (2) $600,000 for fiscal year 2000;
       (3) $750,000 for fiscal year 2001;
       (4) $900,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       (5) $900,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
       (6) $600,000 for fiscal year 2004.
                                 
                                 ______
                                 

                        COATS AMENDMENT NO. 3619

  (Ordered to lie on the table.)
  Mr. COATS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to 
the bill, S. 2279, supra; as follows:

       On page 164, line 7, strike ``commuter''.
       On page 164, line 7, insert ``, including commuter air 
     carriers,'' after ``air carriers''.
       On page 165, lines 4 and 5, strike ``daily commuter slots 
     at such airport'' and insert ``daily slots at such airport, 
     of which at least 6 shall be commuter slots''.
       On page 165, lines 6 and 7, strike ``commuter slots'' and 
     insert ``slots''.
                                 ______
                                 

                       INHOFE AMENDMENT NO. 3620

  Mr. INHOFE proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2279, supra; as 
follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, SUSPENSIONS, AND 
                   REVOCATIONS OF CERTIFICATES.

       Section 44709 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``When'' and inserting ``(1) Except as 
     provided in paragraph (2), if''; and
       (B) by striking ``However, if'' and all that follows 
     through the end of the subsection and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) If the Administrator determines, in the order, that 
     an emergency exists and safety in air commerce or air 
     transportation requires the order to be effective 
     immediately--
       ``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), the order shall be in 
     effect unless the Administrator is not able to prove to the 
     Board, upon an inquiry of the Board, the existence of an 
     emergency that requires the immediate application of the 
     order in the interest of safety in air commerce and air 
     transportation; and
       ``(B) the Board shall--
       ``(i) not later than 5 days after the filing of an appeal 
     under paragraph (1), make a disposition concerning the issues 
     of the appeal that are related to the existence of an 
     emergency referred to in subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) not later than 60 days after the filing of an appeal 
     under paragraph (1), make a final disposition of the appeal.
       ``(3) If the Administrator determines, in the order, the 
     existence of an emergency described in paragraph (2)(A), the 
     appellant may request a hearing by the Board on the issues of 
     the appeal that are related to the existence of the 
     emergency. Such request shall be made not later than 48 hours 
     after the issuance of the order. If an appellant requests a 
     hearing under this paragraph, the Board shall hold the 
     hearing not later than 48 hours after receiving that 
     request.''; and
       (2) in subsection (f), by inserting ``by further order'' 
     after ``the Administrator decides''.
                                 ______
                                 

                 ROTH (AND MOYNIHAN) AMENDMENT NO. 3621

  Mr. ROTH (for himself and Mr. Moynihan) proposed an amendment to the 
bill, S. 2279, supra; as follows:

       At the end of the bill add the following:

   TITLE IV--EXTENSION OF AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND EXPENDITURE 
                               AUTHORITY

     SEC. 801. EXTENSION OF EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 9502(d) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to expenditures from 
     Airport and Airway Trust Fund) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``October 1, 1998'' and inserting ``October 
     1, 2000''; and
       (2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end of 
     subparagraph (A) the following ``or the Wendell H. Ford 
     National Air Transportation System Improvement Act of 1998''.
       (b) Limitation on Expenditure Authority.--Section 9502 of 
     such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Limitation on Transfers to Trust Fund.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no 
     amount may be appropriated or credited to the Airport and 
     Airway Trust Fund on and after the date of any

[[Page S10853]]

     expenditure from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund which is 
     not permitted by this section. The determination of whether 
     an expenditure is so permitted shall be made without regard 
     to--
       ``(A) any provision of law which is not contained or 
     referenced in this title or in a revenue Act; and
       ``(B) whether such provision of law is a subsequently 
     enacted provision or directly or indirectly seeks to waive 
     the application of this subsection.
       ``(2) Exception for prior obligations.--Paragraph (1) shall 
     not apply to any expenditure to liquidate any contract 
     entered into (or for any amount otherwise obligated) before 
     October 1, 2000, in accordance with the provisions of this 
     section.''.
                                 ______
                                 

                       DeWINE AMENDMENT NO. 3622

  (Ordered to lie on the table.)
  Mr. DeWINE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to 
the bill, S. 2279, supra; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. 5.  . TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING A 
                   BILATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES 
                   AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Aircraft.--The term ``aircraft'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
       (3) Air transportation.--The term ``air transportation'' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, 
     United States Code.
       (4) Bermuda II agreement.--The term ``Bermuda II 
     Agreement'' means the Agreement Between the United States of 
     America and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 
     Ireland Concerning Air Services, signed at Bermuda on July 
     23, 1977 (TIAS 8641).
       (5) Cleveland-london (gatwick) route.--The term 
     ``Cleveland-London (Gatwick) route'' means the route between 
     Cleveland, Ohio, and the Gatwick Airport in London, England.
       (6) Foreign air carrier.--The term ``foreign air carrier'' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 49, 
     United States Code.
       (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Transportation.
       (8) Slot.--The term ``slot'' means a reservation for an 
     instrument flight rule takeoff or landing by an air carrier 
     of an aircraft in air transportation.
       (b) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) under the Bermuda II Agreement, the United States has a 
     right to designate an air carrier of the United States to 
     serve the Cleveland-London (Gatwick) route;
       (2)(A) on December 3, 1996, the Secretary awarded the 
     Cleveland-London (Gatwick) route to Continental Airlines;
       (B) on June 15, 1998, Continental Airlines announced plans 
     to launch nonstop service on that route on February 19, 1999, 
     and to provide single-carrier one-stop service between 
     London, England (from Gatwick Airport) and dozens of cities 
     in Ohio and the surrounding region; and
       (C) on August 4, 1998, the Secretary renewed the authority 
     of Continental Airlines to carry out the nonstop service 
     referred to in subparagraph (B) and selected Cleveland, Ohio, 
     as a new gateway under the Bermuda II Agreement;
       (3) unless the Government of the United Kingdom provides 
     Continental Airlines commercially viable access to Gatwick 
     Airport, Continental Airlines will not be able to initiate 
     service on the Cleveland-London (Gatwick) route; and
       (4) Continental Airlines is prepared to initiate 
     competitive air service on the Cleveland-London (Gatwick) 
     route when the Government of the United Kingdom provides 
     commercially viable access to the Gatwick Airport.
       (c) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that the Secretary should--
       (1) act vigorously to ensure the enforcement of the rights 
     of the United States under the Bermuda II Agreement;
       (2) intensify efforts to obtain the necessary assurances 
     from the Government of the United Kingdom to allow an air 
     carrier of the United States to operate commercially viable, 
     competitive service for the Cleveland-London (Gatwick) route; 
     and
       (3) ensure that the rights of the Government of the United 
     States and citizens and air carriers of the United States are 
     enforced under the Bermuda II Agreement before seeking to 
     renegotiate a broader bilateral agreement to establish 
     additional rights for air carriers of the United States and 
     foreign air carriers of the United Kingdom, including the 
     right to commercially viable competitive slots at Gatwick 
     Airport and Heathrow Airport in London, England, for air 
     carriers of the United States.
                                 ______
                                 

                    SNOWE AMENDMENTS NOS. 3623-3625

  Mr. McCAIN (for Ms. Snowe) proposed three amendments to the bill, S. 
2279, supra; as follows:

                           Amendment No. 3623

       On page 121, line 1, strike ``INTERNATIONAL''.
       On page 121, line 3, before ``The'' insert ``(a) 
     Establishment of Higher International Standards.--''.
       On page 121, between lines 9 and 10, insert the following:
       (b) Increased Civil Penalties.--Section 46301(a) is amended 
     by--
       (1) inserting ``41705,'' after 1142704,'' in paragraph 
     (1)(A); and
       (2) adding at the end thereof the following:
       ``(7) Unless an air carrier that violates section 41705 
     with respect to an individual provides that individual a 
     credit or voucher for the purchase of a ticket on that air 
     carrier or any affiliated air carrier in an amount 
     (determined by the Secretary) of--
       ``(A) not less than $500 and not more than $2,500 for the 
     first violation; or
       ``(B) not less than $2,500 and not more than $5,000 for any 
     subsequent violation, that air carrier is liable to the 
     United States Government for a civil penalty, determined by 
     the Secretary, of not more than 100 percent of the amount of 
     the credit or voucher so determined. For purposes of this 
     paragraph, each act of discrimination prohibited by section 
     41705 constitutes a separate violation of that section.''.
       On page 89, strike the item relating to section 507 and 
     insert the following:

Sec. 507. Higher standards for handicapped access.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 3624

       At the appropriate place, insert the following new section:

     SEC.  . AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVATION SYSTEM STATIONS.

       The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     shall not terminate human weather observers for Automated 
     Surface Observation System stations until--
       (1) the Secretary of Transportation determines that the 
     System provides consistent reporting of changing 
     meteorological conditions and notifies the Congress in 
     writing of that determination; and
       (2) 60 days have passed since the report was submitted to 
     the Congress.
                                  ____


                           Amendment No. 3625

       On page 147, line 4, after ``program.'' insert the 
     following: ``For purposes of this subsection, the application 
     of geographic diversity criteria means criteria that--
       ``(1) will promote the development of a national air 
     transportation system; and
       ``(2) will involve the participation of communities in all 
     regions of the country.''.
                                 ______
                                 

                  McCAIN (AND FORD) AMENDMENT NO. 3626

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Ford) proposed an amendment to the 
bill, S. 2279, supra; as follows:

       On page 48 of the managers' amendment, strike 
     ``additional'' in line 12, line 16, and line 23.

                          ____________________