S.Amdt. 4669

SA 4669. Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Tester, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Thune, and Mr. Levin) submitted, under authority of the order of the Senate of May 2, 2008, an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2881, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 111, between lines 4 and 5, insert the following:

“(g) Adjustment for Fuel Costs.--

“(1) In general.--The Secretary shall adjust the rate at which compensation is being paid under this subchapter for fuel costs to ensure that air carriers providing air service or air transportation under this subchapter are adequately compensated, as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3).

“(2) Initial adjustment.--On the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall adjust the rate of compensation for fuel costs for each air carrier described in paragraph (1) by the percentage increase or decrease, as the case may be, in the average fuel cost per block hour, as reported by the air carrier, for the 90-day period beginning on such date of enactment over the average fuel cost per block hour, as reported by the air carrier, during the 90-day period ending on such date of enactment.

“(3) Subsequent adjustments.--On the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary shall adjust the rate of compensation for fuel costs for each air carrier described in paragraph (1) by the percentage increase or decrease, as the case may be, in the average fuel cost per block hour, as reported by the air carrier, in the most recent 90-day period over the average fuel cost per block hour on which the adjustment for the preceding 90-day period was based.

“(4) Applicability of other provisions.--The Secretary shall make the adjustment under paragraph (1) without regard to any adjustment for significantly increased costs under subsection (e).”.