PUBLIC LAW 106-181—APR. 5, 2000 114 STAT. 93 "(1) to provide assistance to an air carrier to subsidize service to and from an underserved airport for a period not to exceed 3 years; "(2) to provide assistance to an underserved airport to obtain service to and from the underserved airport; and "(3) to provide assistance to an underserved airport to implement such other measures as the Secretary, in consultation with such airport, considers appropriate to improve air service both in terms of the cost of such service to consumers and the availability of such service, including improving air service through marketing and promotion of air service and enhanced utilization of airport facilities. "(e) AUTHORITY TO MAKE AGREEMENTS.— "(1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary may make agreements to provide assistance under this section. "(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and $27,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003 to carry out this section. Such sums shall remain available until expended. "(f) ADDITIONAL ACTION. —Under the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall work with air carriers providing service to participating communities and major air carriers (as defined in section 41716(a)(2)) serving large hub airports (as defined in section 41731(a)(3)) to facilitate joint-fare arrangements consistent with normal industry practice. "(g) DESIGNATION OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL.— The Secretary shall designate an employee of the Department of Transportation— "(1) to function as a facilitator between small communities and air carriers; "(2) to carry out this section; "(3) to ensure that the Bureau of Transportation Statistics collects data on passenger information to assess the service needs of small communities; "(4) to work with and coordinate efforts with other Federal, State, and local agencies to increase the viability of service to small communities and the creation of aviation development zones; and "(5) to provide policy recommendations to the Secretary and Congress that will ensure that small communities have access to quality, affordable air transportation services. "(h) AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT ZONE. —The Secretary shall designate an airport in the program as an Air Service Development Zone and work with the community or consortium on means to attract business to the area surrounding the airport, to develop land use options for the area, and provide data, working with the Department of Commerce and other agencies.". (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— The analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 is amended by adding at the end the following: "41743. Airports not receiving sufficient service.". SEC. 204. PRESERVATION OF ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AT SINGLE CAR- RIER DOMINATED HUB AIRPORTS. (a) IN GENERAL. — Subchapter II of chapter 417 (as amended by section 203 of this Act) is further amended by adding at the end the following: 79-194O-00 -5:QL3Part1
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