§ 41742. Essential air service authorization
(a)
In General.—
(1)
Authorization.—
Out of the amounts received by the Federal Aviation Administration credited to the account established under section
45303 of this title or otherwise provided to the Administration, the sum of $50,000,000 is authorized and shall be made available immediately for obligation and expenditure to carry out the essential air service program under this subchapter for each fiscal year.
(2)
Additional funds.—
In addition to amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated $77,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the essential air service program under this subchapter of which not more than $12,000,000 per fiscal year may be used for the marketing incentive program for communities and for State marketing assistance.
(3)
Authorization for additional employees.—
In addition to amounts authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the Secretary of Transportation to hire and employ 4 additional employees for the office responsible for carrying out the essential air service program.
(b)
Funding for Small Community Air Service.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys 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. Notwithstanding section
47114
(g) [1] of this title, any amounts from those fees that are not obligated or expended at the end of the fiscal year for the purpose of funding the essential air service program under this subchapter shall be made available to the Administration for use in improving rural air safety under subchapter
I of chapter
471 of this title and shall be used exclusively for projects at rural airports under this subchapter.
[1] See References in Text note below.