1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Supporting Middle America’s Airports Act”.
Supporting Middle America’s Airports Act
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify the eligibility requirements for the essential air service program, and for other purposes.
2. Essential air service
Section 41731 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a)(1)—
subparagraph (B) by inserting “and” at the end; and
by striking subparagraph (D);
in subsection (c) by striking “Subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(1)” and inserting “Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(1) and subsection (g)”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(g) Limitation on eligible places—Beginning on the day that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary may only provide compensation to an air carrier under this subchapter for the provision of essential air service to a place if, at any time before such day, the place received essential air service under this subchapter.”