II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2983 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2018 Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to improve the essential air service program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Defending Essential Flights and Ensuring National Security Efforts (DEFENSE) Act of 2018 . 2. Improving the essential air service program Section 41731 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (g) Exception for certain locations with high military use Subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(1) shall not apply with respect to any location that— (1) is certified under part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; (2) is not owned by the Federal government; and (3) for which not less than 10 percent of airport operations in 2017 were by aircraft of the Armed Forces. .