H.R. 690 – DEFENSE Act of 2019

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:56 AM UTC

The DEFENSE Act of 2019 amends the U.S. Code to change how the Essential Air Service (EAS) program determines eligibility for certain locations. It adds an exception for places that have significant military use, meaning those locations will not be subject to a specific EAS restriction. The change affects airports or airfields that meet the new criteria, potentially altering federal support for commercial air service at those sites.

Key Provisions

Adds a new exception (subsection (g)) to 49 U.S.C. § 41731, stating that Subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(1) does not apply to any location that (1) is certified under part 139 of title 14 CFR, (2) is not owned by the federal government, and (3) had at least 10% of its 2018 takeoffs and landings by Armed Forces aircraft.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Aviation Subcommittee

February 7, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 18, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

January 18, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Aviation Subcommittee

February 7, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 18, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 690

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 18, 2019

Mr. Walden introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit eligibility for essential air service for certain locations, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Defending Essential Flights and Ensuring National Security Efforts Act of 2019 or the DEFENSE Act of 2019.

2.

Exception for certain locations with high military use

Section 41731 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

Exception for certain locations with high military use

Subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(1) shall not apply with respect to any location—

(1)

that is certified under part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;

(2)

that is not owned by the Federal Government; and

(3)

at which not less than 10 percent of aircraft takeoffs and landings in 2018 were by aircraft of the Armed Forces.

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