§ 40117. —  Passenger facility fees.

From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 7, 2003]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 7, 2003 and December 19, 2003]
[CITE: 49USC40117]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                     SUBTITLE VII--AVIATION PROGRAMS
 
                     PART A--AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY
 
                           subpart i--general
 
                     CHAPTER 401--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Sec. 40117. Passenger facility fees

    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
        (1) Airport, commercial service airport, and public agency.--The 
    terms ``airport'', ``commercial service airport'', and ``public 
    agency'' have the meaning those terms have under section 47102.
        (2) Eligible agency.--The term ``eligible agency'' means a 
    public agency that controls a commercial service airport.
        (3) Eligible airport-related project.--The term ``eligible 
    airport-related project'' means any of the following projects:
            (A) A project for airport development or airport planning 
        under subchapter I of chapter 471.
            (B) A project for terminal development described in section 
        47110(d).
            (C) A project for costs of terminal development referred to 
        in subparagraph (B) incurred after August 1, 1986, at an airport 
        that did not have more than .25 percent of the total annual 
        passenger boardings in the United States in the most recent 
        calendar year for which data is available and at which total 
        passenger boardings declined by at least 16 percent between 
        calendar year 1989 and calendar year 1997.
            (D) A project for airport noise capability planning under 
        section 47505.
            (E) A project to carry out noise compatibility measures 
        eligible for assistance under section 47504, whether or not a 
        program for those measures has been approved under section 
        47504.
            (F) A project for constructing gates and related areas at 
        which passengers board or exit aircraft. In the case of a 
        project required to enable additional air service by an air 
        carrier with less than 50 percent of the annual passenger 
        boardings at an airport, the project for constructing gates and 
        related areas may include structural foundations and floor 
        systems, exterior building walls and load-bearing interior 
        columns or walls, windows, door and roof systems, building 
        utilities (including heating, air conditioning, ventilation, 
        plumbing, and electrical service), and aircraft fueling 
        facilities adjacent to the gate.
            (G) A project for converting vehicles and ground support 
        equipment used at a commercial service airport to low-emission 
        technology (as defined in section 47102) or to use cleaner 
        burning conventional fuels, retrofitting of any such vehicles or 
        equipment that are powered by a diesel or gasoline engine with 
        emission control technologies certified or verified by the 
        Environmental Protection Agency to reduce emissions, or 
        acquiring for use at a commercial service airport vehicles and 
        ground support equipment that include low-emission technology or 
        use cleaner burning fuels if the airport is located in an air 
        quality nonattainment area (as defined in section 171(2) of the 
        Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7501(2))) or a maintenance area 
        referred to in section 175A of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7505a) and if 
        such project will result in an airport receiving appropriate 
        emission credits as described in section 47139.

        (4) Ground support equipment.--The term ``ground support 
    equipment'' means service and maintenance equipment used at an 
    airport to support aeronautical operations and related activities.
        (5) Passenger facility fee.--The term ``passenger facility fee'' 
    means a fee imposed under this section.
        (6) Passenger facility revenue.--The term ``passenger facility 
    revenue'' means revenue derived from a passenger facility fee.

    (b) General Authority.--(1) The Secretary of Transportation may 
authorize under this section an eligible agency to impose a passenger 
facility fee of $1, $2, or $3 on each paying passenger of an air carrier 
or foreign air carrier boarding an aircraft at an airport the agency 
controls to finance an eligible airport-related project, including 
making payments for debt service on indebtedness incurred to carry out 
the project, to be carried out in connection with the airport or any 
other airport the agency controls.
    (2) A State, political subdivision of a State, or authority of a 
State or political subdivision that is not the eligible agency may not 
regulate or prohibit the imposition or collection of a passenger 
facility fee or the use of the passenger facility revenue.
    (3) A passenger facility fee may be imposed on a passenger of an air 
carrier or foreign air carrier originating or connecting at the 
commercial service airport that the agency controls.
    (4) In lieu of authorizing a fee under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
may authorize under this section an eligible agency to impose a 
passenger facility fee of $4.00 or $4.50 on each paying passenger of an 
air carrier or foreign air carrier boarding an aircraft at an airport 
the agency controls to finance an eligible airport-related project, 
including making payments for debt service on indebtedness incurred to 
carry out the project, if the Secretary finds--
        (A) in the case of an airport that has more than .25 percent of 
    the total number of annual boardings in the United States, that the 
    project will make a significant contribution to improving air safety 
    and security, increasing competition among air carriers, reducing 
    current or anticipated congestion, or reducing the impact of 
    aviation noise on people living near the airport; and
        (B) that the project cannot be paid for from funds reasonably 
    expected to be available for the programs referred to in section 
    48103.

    (5) Maximum cost for certain low-emission technology projects.--The 
maximum cost that may be financed by imposition of a passenger facility 
fee under this section for a project described in subsection (a)(3)(G) 
with respect to a vehicle or ground support equipment may not exceed the 
incremental amount of the project cost that is greater than the cost of 
acquiring a vehicle or equipment that is not low-emission and would be 
used for the same purpose, or the cost of low-emission retrofitting, as 
determined by the Secretary.
    (6) Debt service for certain projects.--In addition to the uses 
specified in paragraphs (1) and (4), the Secretary may authorize a 
passenger facility fee imposed under paragraph (1) or (4) to be used for 
making payments for debt service on indebtedness incurred to carry out 
at the airport a project that is not an eligible airport-related project 
if the Secretary determines that such use is necessary due to the 
financial need of the airport.

    (c) Applications.--(1) An eligible agency must submit to the 
Secretary an application for authority to impose a passenger facility 
fee. The application shall contain information and be in the form that 
the Secretary may require by regulation.
    (2) Before submitting an application, the eligible agency must 
provide reasonable notice to, and an opportunity for consultation with, 
air carriers and foreign air carriers operating at the airport. The 
Secretary shall prescribe regulations that define reasonable notice and 
contain at least the following requirements:
        (A) The agency must provide written notice of individual 
    projects being considered for financing by a passenger facility fee 
    and the date and location of a meeting to present the projects to 
    air carriers and foreign air carriers operating at the airport.
        (B) Not later than 30 days after written notice is provided 
    under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, each air carrier and 
    foreign air carrier operating at the airport must provide to the 
    agency written notice of receipt of the notice. Failure of a carrier 
    to provide the notice may be deemed certification of agreement with 
    the project by the carrier under subparagraph (D) of this paragraph.
        (C) Not later than 45 days after written notice is provided 
    under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the agency must conduct a 
    meeting to provide air carriers and foreign air carriers with 
    descriptions of projects and justifications and a detailed financial 
    plan for projects.
        (D) Not later than 30 days after the meeting, each air carrier 
    and foreign air carrier must provide to the agency certification of 
    agreement or disagreement with projects (or total plan for the 
    projects). Failure to provide the certification is deemed 
    certification of agreement with the project by the carrier. A 
    certification of disagreement is void if it does not contain the 
    reasons for the disagreement.
        (E) The agency must include in its application or notice 
    submitted under subparagraph (A) copies of all certifications of 
    agreement or disagreement received under subparagraph (D).
        (F) For the purpose of this section, an eligible agency 
    providing notice and an opportunity for consultation to an air 
    carrier or foreign air carrier is deemed to have satisfied the 
    requirements of this paragraph if the eligible agency limits such 
    notices and consultations to air carriers and foreign air carriers 
    that have a significant business interest at the airport. In the 
    subparagraph, the term ``significant business interest'' means an 
    air carrier or foreign air carrier that had no less than 1.0 percent 
    of passenger boardings at the airport in the prior calendar year, 
    had at least 25,000 passenger boardings at the airport in the prior 
    calendar year, or provides scheduled service at the airport.

    (3) Before submitting an application, the eligible agency must 
provide reasonable notice and an opportunity for public comment. The 
Secretary shall prescribe regulations that define reasonable notice and 
provide for at least the following under this paragraph:
        (A) A requirement that the eligible agency provide public notice 
    of intent to collect a passenger facility fee so as to inform those 
    interested persons and agencies that may be affected. The public 
    notice may include--
            (i) publication in local newspapers of general circulation;
            (ii) publication in other local media; and
            (iii) posting the notice on the agency's Internet website.

        (B) A requirement for submission of public comments no sooner 
    than 30 days, and no later than 45 days, after the date of the 
    publication of the notice.
        (C) A requirement that the agency include in its application or 
    notice submitted under subparagraph (A) copies of all comments 
    received under subparagraph (B).

    (4) After receiving an application, the Secretary may provide notice 
and an opportunity to air carriers, foreign air carriers, and other 
interested persons to comment on the application. The Secretary shall 
make a final decision on the application not later than 120 days after 
receiving it.
    (d) Limitations on Approving Applications.--The Secretary may 
approve an application that an eligible agency has submitted under 
subsection (c) of this section to finance a specific project only if the 
Secretary finds, based on the application, that--
        (1) the amount and duration of the proposed passenger facility 
    fee will result in revenue (including interest and other returns on 
    the revenue) that is not more than the amount necessary to finance 
    the specific project;
        (2) each project is an eligible airport-related project that 
    will--
            (A) preserve or enhance capacity, safety, or security of the 
        national air transportation system;
            (B) reduce noise resulting from an airport that is part of 
        the system; or
            (C) provide an opportunity for enhanced competition between 
        or among air carriers and foreign air carriers;

        (3) the application includes adequate justification for each of 
    the specific projects; and
        (4) in the case of an application to impose a fee of more than 
    $3.00 for an eligible surface transportation or terminal project, 
    the agency has made adequate provision for financing the airside 
    needs of the airport, including runways, taxiways, aprons, and 
    aircraft gates.

    (e) Limitations on Imposing Fees.--(1) An eligible agency may impose 
a passenger facility fee only--
        (A) if the Secretary approves an application that the agency has 
    submitted under subsection (c) of this section; and
        (B) subject to terms the Secretary may prescribe to carry out 
    the objectives of this section.

    (2) A passenger facility fee may not be collected from a passenger--
        (A) for more than 2 boardings on a one-way trip or a trip in 
    each direction of a round trip;
        (B) for the boarding to an eligible place under subchapter II of 
    chapter 417 of this title for which essential air service 
    compensation is paid under subchapter II;
        (C) enplaning at an airport if the passenger did not pay for the 
    air transportation which resulted in such enplanement, including any 
    case in which the passenger obtained the ticket for the air 
    transportation with a frequent flier award coupon without monetary 
    payment;
        (D) on flights, including flight segments, between 2 or more 
    points in Hawaii;
        (E) in Alaska aboard an aircraft having a seating capacity of 
    less than 60 passengers; and
        (F) enplaning at an airport if the passenger did not pay for the 
    air transportation which resulted in such enplanement due to charter 
    arrangements and payment by the Department of Defense.

    (f) Limitations on Contracts, Leases, and Use Agreements.--(1) A 
contract between an air carrier or foreign air carrier and an eligible 
agency made at any time may not impair the authority of the agency to 
impose a passenger facility fee or to use the passenger facility revenue 
as provided in this section.
    (2) A project financed with a passenger facility fee may not be 
subject to an exclusive long-term lease or use agreement of an air 
carrier or foreign air carrier, as defined by regulations of the 
Secretary.
    (3) A lease or use agreement of an air carrier or foreign air 
carrier related to a project whose construction or expansion was 
financed with a passenger facility fee may not restrict the eligible 
agency from financing, developing, or assigning new capacity at the 
airport with passenger facility revenue.
    (g) Treatment of Revenue.--(1) Passenger facility revenue is not 
airport revenue for purposes of establishing a price under a contract 
between an eligible agency and an air carrier or foreign air carrier.
    (2) An eligible agency may not include in its price base the part of 
the capital costs of a project paid for by using passenger facility 
revenue to establish a price under a contract between the agency and an 
air carrier or foreign air carrier.
    (3) For a project for terminal development, gates and related areas, 
or a facility occupied or used by at least one air carrier or foreign 
air carrier on an exclusive or preferential basis, a price payable by an 
air carrier or foreign air carrier using the facilities must at least 
equal the price paid by an air carrier or foreign air carrier using a 
similar facility at the airport that was not financed with passenger 
facility revenue.
    (4) Passenger facility revenues that are held by an air carrier or 
an agent of the carrier after collection of a passenger facility fee 
constitute a trust fund that is held by the air carrier or agent for the 
beneficial interest of the eligible agency imposing the fee. Such 
carrier or agent holds neither legal nor equitable interest in the 
passenger facility revenues except for any handling fee or retention of 
interest collected on unremitted proceeds as may be allowed by the 
Secretary.
    (h) Compliance.--(1) As necessary to ensure compliance with this 
section, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring 
recordkeeping and auditing of accounts maintained by an air carrier or 
foreign air carrier and its agent collecting a passenger facility fee 
and by the eligible agency imposing the fee.
    (2) The Secretary periodically shall audit and review the use by an 
eligible agency of passenger facility revenue. After review and a public 
hearing, the Secretary may end any part of the authority of the agency 
to impose a passenger facility fee to the extent the Secretary decides 
that the revenue is not being used as provided in this section.
    (3) The Secretary may set off amounts necessary to ensure compliance 
with this section against amounts otherwise payable to an eligible 
agency under subchapter I of chapter 471 of this title if the Secretary 
decides a passenger facility fee is excessive or that passenger facility 
revenue is not being used as provided in this section.
    (i) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
necessary to carry out this section. The regulations--
        (1) may prescribe the time and form by which a passenger 
    facility fee takes effect;
        (2) shall--
            (A) require an air carrier or foreign air carrier and its 
        agent to collect a passenger facility fee that an eligible 
        agency imposes under this section;
            (B) establish procedures for handling and remitting money 
        collected;
            (C) ensure that the money, less a uniform amount the 
        Secretary determines reflects the average necessary and 
        reasonable expenses (net of interest accruing to the carrier and 
        agent after collection and before remittance) incurred in 
        collecting and handling the fee, is paid promptly to the 
        eligible agency for which they are collected; and
            (D) require that the amount collected for any air 
        transportation be noted on the ticket for that air 
        transportation; and

        (3) may permit an eligible agency to request that collection of 
    a passenger facility fee be waived for--
            (A) passengers enplaned by any class of air carrier or 
        foreign air carrier if the number of passengers enplaned by the 
        carriers in the class constitutes not more than one percent of 
        the total number of passengers enplaned annually at the airport 
        at which the fee is imposed; or
            (B) passengers enplaned on a flight to an airport--
                (i) that has fewer than 2,500 passenger boardings each 
            year and receives scheduled passenger service; or
                (ii) in a community which has a population of less than 
            10,000 and is not connected by a land highway or vehicular 
            way to the land-connected National Highway System within a 
            State.

    (j) Limitation on Certain Actions.--A State, political subdivision 
of a State, or authority of a State or political subdivision that is not 
the eligible agency may not tax, regulate, or prohibit or otherwise 
attempt to control in any manner, the imposition or collection of a 
passenger facility fee or the use of the revenue from the passenger 
facility fee.
    (k) Competition Plans.--
        (1) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2001, no eligible 
    agency may impose a passenger facility fee under this section with 
    respect to a covered airport (as such term is defined in section 
    47106(f)) unless the agency has submitted to the Secretary a written 
    competition plan in accordance with such section. This subsection 
    does not apply to passenger facility fees in effect before the date 
    of the enactment of this subsection.
        (2) Secretary shall ensure implementation and compliance.--The 
    Secretary shall review any plan submitted under paragraph (1) to 
    ensure that it meets the requirements of this section, and shall 
    review its implementation from time-to-time to ensure that each 
    covered airport successfully implements its plan.

    (l) Pilot Program for Passenger Facility Fee Authorizations at 
Nonhub Airports.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot program 
    to test alternative procedures for authorizing eligible agencies for 
    nonhub airports to impose passenger facility fees. An eligible 
    agency may impose in accordance with the provisions of this 
    subsection a passenger facility fee under this section. For purposes 
    of the pilot program, the procedures in this subsection shall apply 
    instead of the procedures otherwise provided in this section.
        (2) Notice and opportunity for consultation.--The eligible 
    agency must provide reasonable notice and an opportunity for 
    consultation to air carriers and foreign air carriers in accordance 
    with subsection (c)(2) and must provide reasonable notice and 
    opportunity for public comment in accordance with subsection (c)(3).
        (3) Notice of intention.--The eligible agency must submit to the 
    Secretary a notice of intention to impose a passenger facility fee 
    under this subsection. The notice shall include--
            (A) information that the Secretary may require by regulation 
        on each project for which authority to impose a passenger 
        facility fee is sought;
            (B) the amount of revenue from passenger facility fees that 
        is proposed to be collected for each project; and
            (C) the level of the passenger facility fee that is 
        proposed.

        (4) Acknowledgement of receipt and indication of objection.--The 
    Secretary shall acknowledge receipt of the notice and indicate any 
    objection to the imposition of a passenger facility fee under this 
    subsection for any project identified in the notice within 30 days 
    after receipt of the eligible agency's notice.
        (5) Authority to impose fee.--Unless the Secretary objects 
    within 30 days after receipt of the eligible agency's notice, the 
    eligible agency is authorized to impose a passenger facility fee in 
    accordance with the terms of its notice under this subsection.
        (6) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
    enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall propose such 
    regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.
        (7) Sunset.--This subsection shall cease to be effective 
    beginning on the date that is 3 years after the date of issuance of 
    regulations to carry out this subsection.
        (8) Acknowledgement not an order.--An acknowledgement issued 
    under paragraph (4) shall not be considered an order issued by the 
    Secretary for purposes of section 46110.

    (m) Financial Management of Fees.--
        (1) Handling of fees.--A covered air carrier shall segregate in 
    a separate account passenger facility revenue equal to the average 
    monthly liability for fees collected under this section by such 
    carrier or any of its agents for the benefit of the eligible 
    agencies entitled to such revenue.
        (2) Trust fund status.--If a covered air carrier or its agent 
    fails to segregate passenger facility revenue in violation of the 
    subsection, the trust fund status of such revenue shall not be 
    defeated by an inability of any party to identify and trace the 
    precise funds in the accounts of the air carrier.
        (3) Prohibition.--A covered air carrier and its agents may not 
    grant to any third party any security or other interest in passenger 
    facility revenue.
        (4) Compensation to eligible entities.--A covered air carrier 
    that fails to comply with any requirement of this subsection, or 
    otherwise unnecessarily causes an eligible entity to expend funds, 
    through litigation or otherwise, to recover or retain payment of 
    passenger facility revenue to which the eligible entity is otherwise 
    entitled shall be required to compensate the eligible agency for the 
    costs so incurred.
        (5) Interest on amounts.--A covered air carrier that collects 
    passenger facility fees is entitled to receive the interest on 
    passenger facility fee accounts if the accounts are established and 
    maintained in compliance with this subsection.
        (6) Existing regulations.--The provisions of section 158.49 of 
    title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that permit the commingling 
    of passenger facility fees with other air carrier revenue shall not 
    apply to a covered air carrier.
        (7) Covered air carrier defined.--In this section, the term 
    ``covered air carrier'' means an air carrier that files for chapter 
    7 or chapter 11 of title 11 bankruptcy protection, or has an 
    involuntary chapter 7 of title 11 bankruptcy proceeding commenced 
    against it, after the date of enactment of this subsection.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 103-
305, title II, Secs. 203, 204(a)(1), (b), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1582, 
1583; Pub. L. 104-264, title I, Sec. 142(b)(2), title XII, Sec. 1202, 
Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3221, 3280; Pub. L. 104-287, Sec. 5(67), Oct. 
11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3395; Pub. L. 106-181, title I, Secs. 105(a), (b), 
135(a), (b), 151, 152(a), 155(c), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 71, 83, 86-88; 
Pub. L. 108-176, title I, Secs. 121(a)-(c), 122-123(d), 124, Dec. 12, 
2003, 117 Stat. 2499-2502.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
                                                 Pub. L. 103-272
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)               Source (Statutes at Large)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40117(a)(1)...........................  49 App.:1513(e) (15)(A), (B),    Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85-726, 72 Stat.
                                         (D).                             731, Sec.  1113(e)(1)-(3), (5)-(15);
                                                                          added Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101-508,
                                                                          Sec.  9110(2), 104 Stat. 1388-357.
40117(a)(2)...........................  (no source).
40117(a)(3)...........................  49 App.:1513(e) (15)(C).
40117(a)(4), (5)......................  (no source).
40117(b)(1)...........................  49 App.:1513(e)(1).
40117(b)(2)...........................  49 App.:1513(e)(8) (1st
                                         sentence).
40117(b)(3)...........................  49 App.:1513(e)(6) (1st
                                         sentence).
40117(c)(1), (2)......................  49 App.:1513(e) (11)(A)-(C).
40117(c)(3)...........................  49 App.:1513(e) (11)(D), (E)
                                         (last sentence).
40117(d)..............................  49 App.:1513(e)(2), (5).
40117(e) (1)(A).......................  49 App.:1513(e) (11)(E) (1st
                                         sentence).
40117(e) (1)(B).......................  49 App.:1513(e)(13).
40117(e) (2)(A).......................  49 App.:1513(e)(6) (last
                                         sentence).
40117(e) (2)(B).......................  49 App.:1513(e)(3).
40117(e) (2)(C).......................  49 App.:1513(e)(4).              Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85-726, 72 Stat.
                                                                          731, Sec.  1113(e)(4); added Nov. 5,
                                                                          1990, Pub. L. 101-508, Sec.  9110(2),
                                                                          104 Stat. 1388-357; Oct. 31, 1992,
                                                                          Pub. L. 102-581, Sec.  105, 106 Stat.
                                                                          4877.
40117(f)(1)...........................  49 App.:1513(e)(8) (last
                                         sentence).
40117(f)(2), (3)......................  49 App.:1513(e)(9).
40117(g)..............................  49 App.:1513(e)(7).
40117(h)..............................  49 App.:1513(e)(12).
40117(i)..............................  49 App.:1513(e)(10), (14).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In subsection (a), before clause (1), the text of 49 
App.:1513(e)(15)(A) is omitted for clarity and because the terms ``air 
carrier'' and ``foreign air carrier'' are used the first time they 
appear in each subsection. The text of 49 App.:1513(e)(15)(D) is omitted 
because the complete name of the Secretary of Transportation is used the 
first time the term appears in this section. Clauses (2), (4), and (5) 
are added to avoid repeating the source provisions throughout this 
section. In clause (3)(D), the words ``without regard to'' are omitted 
as surplus.
    In subsection (b)(1), the words ``bonds and other'' are omitted as 
surplus.
    In subsection (b)(2), the word ``limit'' is omitted as being 
included in ``regulate''.
    In subsection (d), before clause (1), the text of 49 App.:1513(e)(5) 
is omitted as executed. The words ``approve an application that an 
eligible agency has submitted under subsection (c) of this section'' are 
substituted for ``grant a public agency which controls a commercial 
service airport authority to impose a fee under this subsection'' for 
clarity.
    In subsection (e)(1)(B), the words ``and conditions'' are omitted as 
being included in ``terms''.
    Subsection (e)(2)(A) is substituted for 49 App.:1513(e)(6) (last 
sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words.
    In subsection (e)(2)(B), the words ``a public agency which controls 
any other airport'', ``If a passenger of an air carrier is being 
provided air service'', and ``with respect to such air service'' are 
omitted as surplus.
    In subsection (f)(3), the words ``financed with'' are substituted 
for ``carried out through the use of'' for consistency in this section 
and to eliminate unnecessary words.
    In subsection (g), the word ``price'' is substituted for ``rate, 
fee, or charge'' and ``rates, fees, and charges'' to eliminate 
unnecessary words.
    In subsection (g)(2), the words ``Except as provided by subparagraph 
(C)'' and ``by means of depreciation, amortization, or any other 
method'' are omitted as surplus.
    In subsection (h)(1), the word ``agent'' is substituted for 
``agency'' to correct an error in the source provisions.
    In subsection (i), before clause (1), the words ``Not later than May 
4, 1991'' are omitted as obsolete.


                             Pub. L. 104-287

    This repeals 49:40117(e)(2)(C) to eliminate an executed provision 
and makes conforming amendments.

                       References in Text

    The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. 
(k)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106-181, which was approved 
Apr. 5, 2000.
    The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsecs. 
(l)(6) and (m)(7), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 108-176, which 
was approved Dec. 12, 2003.


                               Amendments

    2003--Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 123(d), substituted 
``A project for costs'' for ``for costs'' and a period for the semicolon 
at end.
    Subsec. (a)(3)(G). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 121(a), added subpar. (G).
    Subsec. (a)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 121(c), added par. (4) 
and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively.
    Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 121(b), added par. (5).
    Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 122, added par. (6).
    Subsec. (c)(2)(E), (F). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 123(a)(1), added 
subpars. (E) and (F).
    Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 123(a)(2)-(4), added par. 
(3), redesignated former par. (3) as (4), and substituted ``may'' for 
``shall'' in first sentence of par. (4).
    Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 123(c)(1), substituted a 
semicolon for period at end.
    Subsec. (e)(2)(F). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 123(c)(2)-(4), added 
subpar. (F).
    Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 123(b), added subsec. (l).
    Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 108-176, Sec. 124, added subsec. (m).
    2000--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 151, amended heading and 
text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: 
``In this section--
        ``(1) `airport', `commercial service airport', and `public 
    agency' have the same meanings given those terms in section 47102 of 
    this title.
        ``(2) `eligible agency' means a public agency that controls a 
    commercial service airport.
        ``(3)`eligible airport-related project' means a project--
            ``(A) for airport development or airport planning under 
        subchapter I of chapter 471 of this title;
            ``(B) for terminal development described in section 47110(d) 
        of this title;
            ``(C) for airport noise capability planning under section 
        47505 of this title;
            ``(D) to carry out noise compatibility measures eligible for 
        assistance under section 47504 of this title, whether or not a 
        program for those measures has been approved under section 
        47504; and
            ``(E) for constructing gates and related areas at which 
        passengers board or exit aircraft.
        ``(4) `passenger facility fee' means a fee imposed under this 
    section.
        ``(5) `passenger facility revenue' means revenue derived from a 
    passenger facility fee.''
    Subsec. (a)(3)(C) to (F). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 152(a), added 
subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpars. (C) to (E) as (D) to (F), 
respectively.
    Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 105(a), added par. (4).
    Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 105(b), added par. (4).
    Subsec. (e)(2)(D), (E). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 135(a), added subpars. 
(D) and (E).
    Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 135(b)(1)-(3), added par. (3).
    Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 135(b)(4), added subsec. (j).
    Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 106-181, Sec. 155(c), added subsec. (k).
    1996--Subsec. (a)(3)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 104-264, Sec. 142(b)(2), 
inserted ``and'' at end of subpar. (D), substituted a period for ``; 
and'' at end of subpar. (E), and struck out subpar. (F) which read as 
follows: ``in addition to projects eligible under subparagraph (A), the 
construction, reconstruction, repair, or improvement of areas of an 
airport used for the operation of aircraft or actions to mitigate the 
environmental effects of such construction, reconstruction, repair, or 
improvement when the construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement, 
or action is necessary for compliance with the responsibilities of the 
operator or owner of the airport under the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990, the Clean Air Act, or the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act with respect to the airport.''
    Subsec. (e)(2)(B) to (D). Pub. L. 104-287 inserted ``and'' at end of 
subpar. (B), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C), and struck out former 
subpar. (C) which read as follows: ``for a project the Secretary does 
not approve under this section before October 1, 1993, if, during the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 1993, the amount available for 
obligation under subchapter II of chapter 417 of this title is less than 
$38,600,000, except that this clause--
        ``(i) does not apply if the amount available for obligation 
    under subchapter II of chapter 417 of this title is less than 
    $38,600,000 because of sequestration or other general appropriations 
    reductions applied proportionately to appropriations accounts 
    throughout an appropriation law; and
        ``(ii) does not affect the authority of the Secretary to approve 
    the imposition of a fee or the use of revenues, derived from a fee 
    imposed under an approval made under this section, by a public 
    agency that has received an approval to impose a fee under this 
    section before September 30, 1993, regardless of whether the fee is 
    being imposed on September 30, 1993; and''.
    Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 104-264, Sec. 1202, added par. (4).
    1994--Subsec. (a)(3)(F). Pub. L. 103-305, Sec. 203, added subpar. 
(F).
    Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 103-305, Sec. 204(b), added par. (3).
    Subsec. (e)(2)(D). Pub. L. 103-305, Sec. 204(a)(1), added subpar. 
(D).


                    Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 108-176 applicable only to fiscal years 
beginning after Sept. 30, 2003, except as otherwise specifically 
provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108-176, set out as a note under 
section 106 of this title.


                    Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 106-181 applicable only to fiscal years 
beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106-181, set 
out as a note under section 106 of this title.


                    Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

    Except as otherwise specifically provided, amendment by Pub. L. 104-
264 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and 
not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year 
ending before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104-264, set out as 
a note under section 106 of this title.


                                Guidance

    Pub. L. 108-176, title I, Sec. 121(d), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 
2500, provided that: ``The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall issue 
guidance determining eligibility of projects, and how benefits to air 
quality must be demonstrated, under the amendments made by this section 
[amending this section].''


      Eligibility of Airport Ground Access Transportation Projects

    Pub. L. 108-176, title I, Sec. 123(e), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 
2502, provided that: ``Not later than 60 days after the enactment of 
this Act [Dec. 12, 2003], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall publish in the Federal Register the current policy 
of the Administration, consistent with current law, with respect to the 
eligibility of airport ground access transportation projects for the use 
of passenger facility fees under section 40117 of title 49, United 
States Code.''


                            Competition Plans

    Pub. L. 106-181, title I, Sec. 155(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 88, 
provided that: ``The Congress makes the following findings:
        ``(1) Major airports must be available on a reasonable basis to 
    all air carriers wishing to serve those airports.
        ``(2) 15 large hub airports today are each dominated by one air 
    carrier, with each such carrier controlling more than 50 percent of 
    the traffic at the hub.
        ``(3) The General Accounting Office has found that such levels 
    of concentration lead to higher air fares.
        ``(4) The United States Government must take every step 
    necessary to reduce those levels of concentration.
        ``(5) Consistent with air safety, spending at these airports 
    must be directed at providing opportunities for carriers wishing to 
    serve such facilities on a commercially viable basis.''


      Limitation on Statutory Construction of Subsection (e)(2)(D)

    Section 204(a)(2) of Pub. L. 103-305 provided that: ``The amendment 
made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall not be construed as 
requiring any person to refund any fee paid before the date of the 
enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1994].''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 40116, 44517, 46301, 46316, 
47102, 47106, 47110, 47111, 47114, 47134, 47139, 47524, 47526, 49108 of 
this title.