In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Air Service Improvement Act of
1997''.

TITLE I--SERVICE TO AIRPORTS NOT RECEIVING SUFFICIENT SERVICE

SEC. 101. AVAILABILITY OF SLOTS.

(a) Period of Effectiveness.--
(1) Slots for foreign air transportation.--Section 41714(b)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
paragraph (4).
(2) Slots for new entrants.--Section 41714(c) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking the subsection
heading and all that follows through ''If the
Secretary'' and inserting the following:
''(c) Slots for New Entrants.--If the Secretary''.
(b) Slots for Airports Not Receiving Sufficient Service.--Section
41714 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (e) and (f) and inserting the
following:
''(e) Slots for Airports Not Receiving Sufficient Service.--
''(1) Exemptions.--The Secretary may, by order, grant
exemptions from the requirements under subparts K and S of part
93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (pertaining to
slots at high density airports) (or any subsequent similar
regulations), to enable air carriers to provide nonstop air
transportation using aircraft that comply with the stage 3
noise levels contained in part 36 of such title 14 between a
high density airport and a small hub airport or nonhub airport
that the Secretary determines is not receiving sufficient air
carrier service to and from that high density airport.
''(2) Limitations.--
''(A) In general.--No more than 2 exemptions per
hour may be granted under this subsection for slots at
any high density airport.
''(B) Washington national airport.--Not more than 6
exemptions per day may be granted under this subsection
for slots at Washington National Airport.
''(3) Application.--An air carrier interested in an
exemption under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary
an application for that exemption. No application may be
submitted to the Secretary before the last day of the 30-day
period beginning on the date of enactment of the Air Service
Improvement Act of 1997.
''(4) Deadline for decision.--
''(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make a
decision with regard to granting an exemption under
this subsection not later than the 120th day following
the date on which the application for the exemption is
submitted under paragraph (3).
''(B) Effects of failure of secretary to make a
decision.--If the Secretary does not make a decision on
or before the date specified in subparagraph (A), the
air carrier requesting the service may provide the
service that is subject to the exemption until such
time as--
''(i) the Secretary makes a decision to
deny that request; or
''(ii) the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration decides that providing
that service would have an adverse effect on
air safety.
''(5) Period of effectiveness.--An exemption granted under
this subsection may remain in effect while the air carrier with
respect to which the exemption is granted continues to provide
nonstop air transportation between the airport that the
Secretary determined was not receiving sufficient air carrier
service and the high density airport involved.
''(6) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following
definitions apply:
''(A) Nonhub airport.--The term 'nonhub airport'
means an airport that each year has less than 0.05
percent of the total annual boardings in the United
States.
''(B) Secretary.--The term 'Secretary' means the
Secretary of Transportation.
''(C) Small hub airport.--The term 'small hub
airport' means an airport that for an annual period,
has, with respect to the total annual boardings of the
United States--
''(i) at least 0.05 percent of those
boardings; and
''(ii) less than 0.25 percent of those
boardings.''; and
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections
(e) and (f), respectively.

SEC. 102. FUNDING FOR AIR CARRIER SERVICE TO AIRPORTS NOT RECEIVING
SUFFICIENT SERVICE.

Section 41742(b) is amended to read as follows:
''(b) Funding for Small Community Air Service.--
''(1) Source of funding.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, amounts credited to the account established
under section 45303(a) of this title, including the funds
derived from fees imposed under the authority contained in
section 45301(a) of this title, shall be used to carry out the
essential air service program under this subchapter.
''(2) Funding for air carrier service to airports not
receiving sufficient service and rural air safety.--Any amounts
from fees imposed under section 45301(a) that the Secretary
determines will not be obligated or expended by the last day of
a fiscal year for the purpose of funding the essential air
service program under this subchapter shall be made available
in that fiscal year to the Administration as follows:
''(A) Not more than $10,000,000 for fiscal year
1998, and for each fiscal year thereafter, shall be
used--
''(i) for assisting an air carrier in
purchasing aircraft to provide air
transportation to an airport that serves an
underserved market;
''(ii) to purchase slots to provide air
service between a high density airport and an
airport that the Secretary determines is not
receiving sufficient air carrier service to and
from such high density airport;
''(iii) to subsidize service to and from an
underserved airport for a period not to exceed
3 years; and
''(iv) for assisting an underserved airport
to market service to and from the underserved
airport.
''(B) Any remaining amounts of the amounts
determined by the Secretary under this paragraph shall
be available for use under this subchapter in improving
rural air safety at airports with less than 100,000
annual boardings.
''(3) Underserved airport.--In this subsection, the term
'underserved airport' means an airport that the Secretary
determines is not receiving sufficient air carrier service.''.

SEC. 103. UNFAIR COMPETITION COMPLAINTS.

Section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ''(a) In General.--'' before ''On''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
''(b) Deadline for Decision on Unfair Competition Complaints.--The
Secretary shall make a decision with respect to any complaint that the
Secretary receives under this section regarding whether an air carrier
has been, or is, engaged in an unfair method of competition in air
transportation or the sale of air transportation not later than 180
days after the date of receipt of the complaint.''.

TITLE II--REGIONAL AIR SERVICE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

SEC. 201. AMENDMENT OF TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.

(a) In General.--Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:

''SUBCHAPTER III--REGIONAL AIR SERVICE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

''Sec. 41761. Purpose
''The purpose of this subchapter is to improve service by jet
aircraft to underserved markets by providing assistance, in the form of
loan guarantees, to commuter air carriers that purchase regional jet
aircraft for use in serving those markets.
''Sec. 41762. Definitions
''In this subchapter:
''(1) Aircraft purchase loan.--The term 'aircraft purchase
loan' means any loan made for the purchase of commercial
transport aircraft, including spare parts normally associated
with the aircraft.
''(2) Air carrier.--The term 'air carrier' means any air
carrier holding a certificate of public convenience and
necessity issued by the Secretary of Transportation under
section 41102.
''(3) Commuter air carrier.--The term 'commuter air
carrier' means an air carrier that primarily operates aircraft
designed to have a maximum passenger seating capacity of 75
passengers or less in accordance with published flight
schedules.
''(4) Nonhub airport.--The term 'nonhub airport' means an
airport that for an annual period has less than 0.05 percent of
the total annual boardings in the United States.
''(5) Regional jet aircraft.--The term 'regional jet
aircraft' means a civil aircraft--
''(A) powered by jet propulsion; and
''(B) designed to have a maximum passenger seating
capacity of--
''(i) not less than 30 passengers; and
''(ii) not more than 75 passengers.
''(6) Secretary.--The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
''(7) Small hub airport.--The term 'small hub airport'
means an airport that for an annual period has with respect to
the total annual boardings of the United States--
''(A) at least 0.05 percent of these boardings; and
''(B) less than 0.25 percent of these boardings.
''(8) Underserved market.--The term 'underserved market'
means a passenger air transportation market (as defined by the
Secretary) that--
''(A) is served (as determined by the Secretary) by
a nonhub airport or a small hub airport;
''(B) is not within a 40-mile radius of an airport
that each year has at least .25 percent of the total
annual boardings in the United States; and
''(C) the Secretary determines does not have
sufficient air service.
''Sec. 41763. Loan guarantees
''(a) In General.--The Secretary may guarantee any lender against
loss of principal or interest on any aircraft purchase loan made by
that lender to a commuter air carrier.
''(b) Form, Terms, and Conditions.--A guarantee shall be made under
subsection (a)--
''(1) in such form and on such terms and conditions; and
''(2) pursuant to such regulations,
as the Secretary considers to be necessary and consistent with this
subchapter.
''Sec. 41764. Conditions and limitations
''(a) Limitations on Funds.--Subject to subsection (d), no loan
guarantee shall be made under this subchapter--
''(1) extending to an amount greater than the unpaid
interest and 90 percent of the unpaid principal of any loan;
''(2) on any loan or combination of loans for an aggregate
amount greater than 90 percent of the purchase price of the
aircraft, including spare parts, to be purchased with the loan
or loan combination;
''(3) on any loan with respect to which terms permit
repayment later than 15 years after the date the loan is made;
and
''(4) in any case in which the total face amount of the
loan and any other loans to the same commuter air carrier or
corporate predecessor of that commuter air carrier that are
guaranteed and outstanding under the terms of this subchapter
exceed $100,000,000.
''(b) Conditions for Making Loans.--Subject to subsection (c), the
Secretary of Transportation may only make a loan guarantee under this
subchapter if the Secretary determines that--
''(1) the aircraft to be purchased with the loan is a
regional jet aircraft that is needed to improve the service and
efficiency of operation of the commuter air carrier;
''(2) the commuter air carrier agrees to use the aircraft
to provide service to underserved markets; and
''(3) the prospective earning power of the commuter air
carrier, together with the character and value of the security
pledged, furnish--
''(A) reasonable assurances of the ability and
intention of the air carrier to repay the loan during
the term of the loan--
''(i) to continue the operations of the air
carrier as a commuter air carrier; and
''(ii) to the extent that the Secretary
determines to be necessary, to continue the
operations of the air carrier as a commuter air
carrier between the same route or routes that
are operated by the air carrier at the time of
the loan guarantee; and
''(B) reasonable protection to the United States.
''(c) Requirement.--Subject to subsection (d), no loan guarantee
may be made under this subchapter on any loan or combination of loans
for the purchase of any regional jet aircraft that does not comply with
the stage 3 noise levels contained in part 36 of title 14 of the Code
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 1997.
''(d) Other Limitations.--No loan guarantee shall be made by the
Secretary under this subchapter on any loan for the purchase of a
regional jet aircraft unless the commuter air carrier agrees that the
air carrier will provide service to the underserved market for which
the aircraft is purchased for a period of not less than 12 consecutive
months after the aircraft is placed in service.
''Sec. 41765. Fees
''The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe and collect from
a lending institution a reasonable guarantee fee in connection with
each loan guaranteed under this subchapter.
''Sec. 41766. Use of Federal facilities and assistance
''(a) Use of Federal Facilities.--To permit the Secretary of
Transportation to make use of such expert advice and services as the
Secretary may require in carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary
may use available services and facilities of other agencies and
instrumentalities of the Federal Government--
''(1) with the consent of the appropriate Federal
officials; and
''(2) on a reimbursable basis.
''(b) Assistance.--The head of each appropriate department or
agency of the Federal Government shall exercise the duties and
functions of that head in such manner as to assist in carrying out the
policy specified in section 41761.
''(c) Oversight.--The Secretary shall make available to the
Comptroller General of the United States such information with respect
to the loan guarantee program conducted under this subchapter as the
Comptroller General may require to carry out the duties of the
Comptroller General under chapter 7 of title 31.
''Sec. 41767. Receipts; payments
''(a) Miscellaneous.--Amounts received by the Secretary under this
subchapter shall be credited to miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.
''(b) Payments.--Payments to lenders required as a consequence of
any loan guarantee made under this subchapter may be made from funds
appropriated pursuant to the authorization under section 202 of the Air
Service Improvement Act of 1997.
''(c) Administrative Expenses.--In carrying out this subchapter,
the Secretary shall use funds made available by appropriations to the
Department of Transportation for the purpose of administration to cover
administrative expenses of the loan guarantee program under this
subchapter.
''Sec. 41768. Termination
''The authority of the Secretary under section 41763 shall
terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment
of this subchapter.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 417 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

''SUBCHAPTER III--REGIONAL AIR SERVICE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

''Sec.
''41761. Purpose.
''41762. Definitions.
''41763. Loan guarantees.
''41764. Conditions and limitations.
''41765. Fees.
''41766. Use of Federal facilities and assistance.
''41767. Receipts; payments.
''41768. Termination.''.

SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out subchapter III of chapter 417 of title 49,
United States Code.
A:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Service to Airports Not Receiving Sufficient
Service
Title II: Regional Air Service Incentive Program
Air Service Improvement Act of 1997 -
Title I: Service to Airports Not Receiving Sufficient Service
- Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to grant exemptions pertaining to the use of slots (arrival and departure spaces) at high density airports in order to enable air carriers to provide nonstop air transportation using noise-compliant aircraft between a high density airport and a small hub or nonhub airport that the Secretary determines is not receiving sufficient air service to and from the high density airport. Provides exemption limitations, including a limitation of no more than six exemptions per day for slots at Washington National Airport. Requires exemption decisions to be made by the Secretary within 120 days of application.
Makes funds not otherwise obligated or expended for the Federal essential air service program available for: (1) air carrier service to airports not receiving sufficient air service; and (2) rural air safety at airports with less than 100,000 annual boardings.
Requires a decision by the Secretary within 180 days after receipt of a complaint alleging that an air carrier has been or is engaging in an unfair method of competition in the provision or sale of air transportation.
Title II: Regional Air Service Incentive Program
- Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee any lender against loss on any loan made to a commuter air carrier (maximum seating capacity of 75 or less) for the purchase of jet aircraft when such aircraft are to be used to provide service to underserved markets. Outlines loan conditions and limitations, including that: (1) such aircraft comply with certain Federal noise-level requirements; and (2) the air carrier agrees to provide service to the underserved market(s) for at least 12 months after being placed in service. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) collect a loan guarantee fee from such lenders; and (2) be given, and make use of, Federal facilities and assistance in carrying out the incentive program.
Terminates the above authority five years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.