by the Armed Forces or an intelligence
agency of the United States.
An aircraft described in the preceding sentence
shall, notwithstanding any limitation relating to
use of the aircraft for commercial purposes, be
considered to be a public aircraft for the pur-
poses of this part without regard to whether the
aircraft is operated by a unit of government on
behalf of another unit of government, pursuant
to a cost reimbursement agreement between such
units of government, if the unit of government on
whose behalf the operation is conducted certifies
to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration that the operation was necessary to
respond to a significant and imminent threat to
life or property (including natural resources)
and that no service by a private operator was
reasonably available to meet the threat.’’.
(b) AUTHORITY TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration may grant an exemp-
tion to any unit of Federal, State, or local govern-
ment from any requirement of part A of subtitle VII
of title 49, United States Code, that would otherwise
be applicable to current or future aircraft of such unit
of government as a result of the amendment made by
subsection (a) of this section.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator may
grant an exemption under paragraph (1) only if—
(A) the Administrator finds that granting
the exemption is necessary to prevent an undue
economic burden on the unit of government; and
(B) the Administrator certifies that the
aviation safety program of the unit of govern-
ment is effective and appropriate to ensure safe
operations of the type of aircraft operated by the
unit of government.
(c) INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY OF BOARD.—
(1) ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PUBLIC AIRCRAFT.—
Section 1131(a)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code,
is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the
end the following: ‘‘or an aircraft accident involving
a public aircraft as defined by section 40102(a)(37)
of this title other than an aircraft operated by the
Armed Forces or by an intelligence agency of the
United States’’.
(2) DUTIES AND POWERS.—Section 1131 of title
49, United States Code, is amended—
(A) by redesignating subsection (d) as sub-
section (e); and
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(d) ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PUBLIC AIRCRAFT.—The
Board, in furtherance of its investigative duties with respect
to public aircraft accidents under subsection (a)(1)(A) of
this section, shall have the same duties and powers as are
specified for civil aircraft accidents under sections 1132(a),
1132(b), and 1134(b)(2) of this title.’’.
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsections (a) and (c) shall take effect on the 180th day
following the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. RELEASE OF RESERVATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
ON 
CERTAIN 
PROPERTY 
LOCATED 
IN
RAPIDES PARISH, LOUISIANA.
(a) RELEASE.—Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, and except as provided in subsections (b) and (d),
the United States releases without consideration all reserva-
tions, restrictions, conditions, and limitations on the use,
encumbrance, or conveyance of certain real property (to-
gether with any improvements thereon and easements ap-
purtenant thereto) consisting of approximately 1,991.53
acres of land and located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana,
the location of Esler Field, as identified in the deed of con-
veyance from the United States to the Parish of Rapides,
Louisiana, dated January 23, 1958, to the extent such res-
ervations, restrictions, conditions, and limitations are en-
forceable by the United States.
(b) EXCEPTIONS.—The United States reserves the right
of reentry upon or use of the property described in sub-
section (a) for national defense purposes in time of war or
other national emergency without charge. The release pro-
vided by subsection (a) does not apply to any conditions
or 
assurances 
associated 
with 
(1) 
the 
continued
nonexclusive use without charge of the airport and use of
space at the airport, without charge, by the Louisiana Na-
tional Guard, (2) the nonexclusive use of the airport by
transient military aircraft without charge, or (3) the
nonexclusive use of the airport by transient military air-
craft without charge during periods of maneuvers.
(c) LIMITATION
ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the dis-
position or ownership of oil, gas, or other mineral resources
either in or under the surface of the real property described
in subsection (a).
(d) FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.—
(1) NONAPPLICABILITY OF RELEASE TO GRANT
AGREEMENTS.—The release described in subsection
(a) does not apply to any conditions and assurances
associated with existing airport grant agreements be-
tween the Rapides Parish Airport Authority/Esler
Field and the Federal Aviation Administration.
(2) AGREEMENT.—Notwithstanding any other
provisions of law, the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall enter into an agree-
ment with the Airport Authority of Rapides Parish,
Louisiana, to provide for the terms and conditions
under which the real property described in subsection
(a) may be used, leased, sold, or otherwise disposed.
The agreement shall be concluded not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on
the 180th day following the date of the enactment of this
Act.
Attest:
Clerk.