[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 54 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3566. Mr. CORNYN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3464 submitted by Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Nelson) 
to the bill H.R. 636, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GENERAL 
                   AVIATION AIRPORT GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation is 
     authorized to carry out a demonstration program for improved 
     administration of general aviation airport grants, as 
     described in this section.
       (2) Guidance.--
       (A) Requirement for guidance.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Transportation shall issue guidance to carry out a 
     demonstration program authorized under paragraph (1).
       (B) Reporting and review.--The guidance required by 
     subparagraph (A) may include periodic reporting and review 
     guidelines for States participating in the such demonstration 
     program, as specified by the Secretary.
       (b) Authority for an Alternate Distribution of Funds.--
     States that are selected to participate in the demonstration 
     program shall not be subject to the allocation requirements 
     of paragraph (3)(A) of section 47114(d) of title 49, United 
     States Code, for funds made available under such section 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act for use at 
     nonprimary classified airports within such States.
       (c) Period of Availability.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the period of availability for an amount 
     made available to States under the terms of the demonstration 
     program shall be available to be obligated for grants only 
     during the fiscal year for which such amount was apportioned 
     and the two fiscal years immediately after that year. If such 
     amount is not obligated under the terms of the demonstration 
     program within that time, such amount shall be added to the 
     discretionary fund provided for under section 47115 of title 
     49, United States Code.
       (d) Air Side Needs.--In selecting projects at nonprimary 
     entitlement airports, States participating in the 
     demonstration program shall ensure that funds apportioned to 
     airport sponsors are only made available for construction 
     costs of revenue producing aeronautical support facilities if 
     such sponsor has made adequate provision for financing 
     airside needs consistent with the terms of section 47110(h) 
     of title 49, United States Code.
       (e) State Participation.--
       (1) Number of states.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
     select not more than 5 States to participate in the 
     demonstration program.
       (2) Duration of participation.--A State selected to 
     participate in the demonstration program shall remain in the 
     demonstration program until the State terminates its 
     participation. If a State terminates participation under this 
     paragraph, the Secretary may select another State to 
     participate in the demonstration program.
       (3) State eligibility.--A State is eligible to participate 
     in the demonstration program if the State--
       (A) for not less than 3 States, as of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, is authorized by the Secretary to 
     carry out a block grant program under section 47128 of title 
     49, United States Code; and
       (B) submits an application for the participation that 
     includes the certification described in paragraph (4) and 
     that make adequate provision for airside needs.
       (4) Certification.--The certification described in this 
     paragraph is a certification made by a State that includes 
     each of the following:
       (A) That the alternate distribution permitted under the 
     demonstration program will occur in a manner that ensures all 
     nonprimary classified airports in the State are adequately 
     maintained in accordance with all relevant safety standards.
       (B) That the State has a capital improvement planning 
     process and priority system sufficient to carry out such 
     alternate distribution in a manner consistent with airport 
     safety and security needs.
       (C) That the State has sufficient communication 
     capabilities and protocols to notify and consult with local 
     jurisdictions having control over nonprimary classified 
     airports regarding such alternate distribution.
       (D) That the State--
       (i) continues to meet other application and selection 
     requirements set out in section 47128(b) of title 48, United 
     States Code; or
       (ii) if the State is not carrying out a block grant program 
     under section 47128 of title 49, United States Code, meets 
     requirements that are equivalent, as determined appropriate 
     by the Secretary.
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