The Avalon Project : HR 2926 To Preserve the Continued Viability of the United States Air Transportation System (Engrossed in the House); September 21, 2001

September 11, 2001 : Attack on America
HR 2926 To Preserve the Continued Viability of the United States Air Transportation System (Engrossed in the House); September 21, 2001

HR 2926 EH

107th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2926

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AN ACT

To preserve the continued viability of the United States air transportation system.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act'.

TITLE I--AIRLINE STABILIZATION

SEC. 101. AVIATION DISASTER RELIEF.

(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall take the following actions to compensate air carriers for losses incurred by the air carriers as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001:

(1) Subject to such terms and conditions as the President deems necessary, issue Federal credit instruments to air carriers that do not, in the aggregate, exceed $10,000,000,000 and provide the subsidy amounts necessary for such instruments in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).

(2) Compensate air carriers in an aggregate amount equal to $5,000,000,000 for--

(A) direct losses incurred beginning on September 11, 2001, by air carriers as a result of any Federal ground stop order issued by the Secretary of Transportation or any subsequent order which continues or renews such a stoppage; and

(B) the incremental losses incurred beginning September 11, 2001, and ending December 31, 2001, by air carriers as a direct result of such attacks.

(b) EMERGENCY DESIGNATION- Congress designates the amount of new budget authority and outlays in all fiscal years resulting from this title as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 252(e) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(e)). Such amount shall be available only to the extent that a request, that includes designation of such amount as an emergency requirement as defined in such Act, is transmitted by the President to Congress.

SEC. 102. AIR TRANSPORTATION STABILIZATION BOARD.

(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) BOARD- The term `Board' means the Air Transportation Stabilization Board established under subsection (b).

(2) FINANCIAL OBLIGATION- The term `financial obligation' means any note, bond, debenture, or other debt obligation issued by an obligor in connection with financing under this section and section 101(a)(1).

(3) LENDER- The term `lender' means any non-Federal qualified institutional buyer (as defined by section 230.144A(a) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation) known as Rule 144A(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commission and issued under the Security Act of 1933, including--

(A) a qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 4974(c)) that is a qualified institutional buyer; and

(B) a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 414(d)) that is a qualified institutional buyer.

(4) OBLIGOR- The term `obligor' means a party primarily liable for payment of the principal of or interest on a Federal credit instrument, which party may be a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or governmental entity, agency, or instrumentality.

(b) AIR TRANSPORTATION STABILIZATION BOARD-

(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established a board (to be known as the `Air Transportation Stabilization Board') to review and decide on applications for Federal credit instruments under section 101(a)(1).

(2) COMPOSITION- The Board shall consist of--

(A) the Secretary of Transportation or the designee of the Secretary;

(B) the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the designee of the Chairman, who shall be the Chair of the Board;

(D) the Comptroller General of the United States, or the designee of the Comptroller General, as a nonvoting member of the Board.

(1) IN GENERAL- The Board may enter into agreements with 1 or more obligors to issue Federal credit instruments under section 101(a)(1) if the Board determines, in its discretion, that--

(A) the obligor is an air carrier for which credit is not reasonably available at the time of the transaction;

(B) the intended obligation by the obligor is prudently incurred; and

(C) such agreement is a necessary part of maintaining a safe, efficient, and viable commercial aviation system in the United States.

(2) TERMS AND LIMITATIONS-

(A) FORMS; TERMS AND CONDITIONS- A Federal credit instrument shall be issued under section 101(a)(1) in such form and on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representatives, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Board determines appropriate.

(B) PROCEDURES- Not later than 14 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue regulations setting forth procedures for application and minimum requirements, which may be supplemented by the Board in its discretion, for the issuance of Federal credit instruments under section 101(a)(1).

(d) FINANCIAL PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT-

(1) IN GENERAL- To the extent feasible and practicable, the Board shall ensure that the Government is compensated for the risk assumed in making guarantees under this title.

(2) GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN GAINS- To the extent to which any participating corporation accepts financial assistance, in the form of accepting the proceeds of any loans guaranteed by the Government under this title, the Board is authorized to enter into contracts under which the Government, contingent on the financial success of the participating corporation, would participate in the gains of the participating corporation or its security holders through the use of such instruments as warrants, stock options, common or preferred stock, or other appropriate equity instruments.

(3) DEPOSIT IN TREASURY- All amounts collected by the Secretary of the Treasury under this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

SEC. 103. SPECIAL RULES FOR COMPENSATION.

(a) DOCUMENTATION- Subject to subsection (b), the amount of compensation payable to an air carrier under section 101(a)(2) may not exceed the amount of losses described in section 101(a)(2) that the air carrier demonstrates to the satisfaction of the President, using sworn financial statements or other appropriate data, that the air carrier incurred. The Secretary of Transportation and the Comptroller General of the United States may audit such statements and may request any information that the Secretary and the Comptroller General deems necessary to conduct such audit.

(b) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE PER AIR CARRIER- The maximum total amount of compensation payable to an air carrier under section 101(a)(2) may not exceed the lesser of--

(1) the amount of such air carrier's direct and incremental losses described in section 101(a)(2); or

(2) in the case of--

(A) flights involving passenger-only or combined passenger and cargo transportation, the product of--

(i) $4,500,000,000; and

(ii) the ratio of--

(I) the available seat miles of the air carrier for the month of August 2001 as reported to the Secretary; to

(II) the total available seat miles of all such air carriers for such month as reported to the Secretary; and

(B) flights involving cargo-only transportation, the product of--

(i) $500,000,000; and

(ii) the ratio of--

(I) the revenue ton miles or other auditable measure of the air carrier for cargo for the latest quarter for which data is available as reported to the Secretary; to

(II) the total revenue ton miles or other auditable measure of all such air carriers for cargo for such quarter as reported to the Secretary.

(c) PAYMENTS- The President may provide compensation to air carriers under section 101(a)(2) in 1 or more payments up to the amount authorized by this title.

SEC. 104. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- The President may only issue a Federal credit instrument under section 101(a)(1) to an air carrier after the air carrier enters into a legally binding agreement with the President that, during the 2-year period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending September 11, 2003, no officer or employee of the air carrier whose total compensation exceeded $300,000 in calendar year 2000 (other than an employee whose compensation is determined through an existing collective bargaining agreement entered into prior to September 11, 2001)--

(1) will receive from the air carrier total compensation which exceeds, during any 12 consecutive months of such 2-year period, the total compensation received by the officer or employee from the air carrier in calendar year 2000; and

(2) will receive from the air carrier severance pay or other benefits upon termination of employment with the air carrier which exceeds twice the maximum total compensation received by the officer or employee from the air carrier in calendar year 2000.

(b) TOTAL COMPENSATION DEFINED- In this section, the term `total compensation' includes salary, bonuses, awards of stock, and other financial benefits provided by an air carrier to an officer or employee of the air carrier.

SEC. 105. CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN AIR SERVICE.

(a) ACTION OF SECRETARY- The Secretary of Transportation should take appropriate action to ensure that all communities that had scheduled air service before September 11, 2001, continue to receive adequate air transportation service and that essential air service to small communities continues without interruption.

(b) ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the essential air service program under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized to require an air carrier receiving direct financial assistance under this Act to maintain scheduled air service to any point served by that carrier before September 11, 2001.

(2) AGREEMENTS- In applying paragraph (1), the Secretary may require air carriers receiving direct financial assistance under this Act to enter into agreements which will ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all communities that had scheduled air service before September 11, 2001, continue to receive adequate air transportation service.

SEC. 106. REPORTS.

(a) REPORT- Not later than February 1, 2001, the President shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget of the Senate a report on the financial status of the air carrier industry and the amounts of assistance provided under this title to each air carrier.

(b) UPDATE- Not later than the last day of the 7-month period following the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall update and transmit the report to the Committees.

SEC. 107. DEFINITIONS.

In this title, the following definitions apply:

(1) AIR CARRIER- The term `air carrier' has the meaning such term has under section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.

(2) FEDERAL CREDIT INSTRUMENT- The term `Federal credit instrument' means any guarantee or other pledge by the Board issued under section 101(a)(1) to pledge the full faith and credit of the United States to pay all or part of any of the principal of and interest on a loan or other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by a lender.

(3) INCREMENTAL LOSS- The term `incremental loss' does not include any loss that the President determines would have been incurred if the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, had not occurred.

TITLE II--AVIATION INSURANCE

SEC. 201. DOMESTIC INSURANCE AND REIMBURSEMENT OF INSURANCE COSTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 44302 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)(1)--

(A) by striking `subsection (b)' and inserting `subsection (c)'; and

(B) by striking `foreign-flag aircraft--' and all that follows through the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting `foreign-flag aircraft.';

(2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively;

(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

`(b) REIMBURSEMENT OF INSURANCE COST INCREASES-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may reimburse an air carrier for the increase in the cost of insurance, with respect to a premium for coverage ending before October 1, 2002, against loss or damage arising out of any risk from the operation of an American aircraft over the insurance premium that was in effect for a comparable operation during the period beginning September 4, 2001, and ending September 10, 2001, as the Secretary may determine. Such reimbursement is subject to subsections (a)(2), (c), and (d) of this section and to section 44303.

`(2) PAYMENT FROM REVOLVING FUND- A reimbursement under this subsection shall be paid from the revolving fund established by section 44307.

`(3) FURTHER CONDITIONS- The Secretary may impose such further conditions on insurance for which the increase in premium is subject to reimbursement under this subsection as the Secretary may deem appropriate in the interest of air commerce.

`(4) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY- The authority to reimburse air carriers under this subsection shall expire 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph.';

(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--

(A) in the first sentence by inserting `, or reimburse an air carrier under subsection (b) of this section,' before `only with the approval'; and

(B) in the second sentence--

(i) by inserting `or the reimbursement' before `only after deciding'; and

(ii) by inserting `in the interest of air commerce or national security or' before `to carry out the foreign policy'; and

(5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated) by inserting `or reimbursing an air carrier' before `under this chapter'.

(b) COVERAGE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 44303 of such title is amended--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting `, or reimburse insurance costs, as' after `insurance and reinsurance'; and

(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting `in the interest of air commerce or national security or' before `to carry out the foreign policy'.

(2) DISCRETION OF THE SECRETARY- For acts of terrorism committed on or to an air carrier during the 180-day period following the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation may certify that the air carrier was a victim of an act of terrorism and in the Secretary's judgment, based on the Secretary's analysis and conclusions regarding the facts and circumstances of each case, shall not be responsible for losses suffered by third parties (as referred to in section 205.5(b)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) that exceed $100,000,000, in the aggregate, for all claims by such parties arising out of such act. If the Secretary so certifies, the air carrier shall not be liable for an amount that exceeds $100,000,000, in the aggregate, for all claims by such parties arising out of such act, and the Government shall be responsible for any liability above such amount. No punitive damages may be awarded against an air carrier (or the Government taking responsibility for an air carrier under this paragraph) under a cause of action arising out of such act.

(1) by striking `(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY- '; and

(2) by striking subsection (b).

(d) PREMIUMS- Section 44306 of such title is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

`(b) ALLOWANCES IN SETTING PREMIUM RATES FOR REINSURANCE- In setting premium rates for reinsurance, the Secretary may make allowances to the insurance carrier for expenses incurred in providing services and facilities that the Secretary considers good business practices, except for payments by the air carrier for the stimulation or solicitation of insurance business.'.

(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 44305(b) of such title is amended by striking `44302(b)' and inserting `44302(c)'.

SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF PROVISIONS TO VENDORS, AGENTS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS OF AIR CARRIERS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Secretary may extend any provision of chapter 443 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this title, and the provisions of this title, to vendors, agents, and subcontractors of air carriers. For the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may extend or amend any such provisions so as to ensure that the entities referred to in the preceding sentence are not responsible in cases of acts of terrorism for losses suffered by third parties that exceed the amount of such entities' liability coverage, as determined by the Secretary.

TITLE III--TAX PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF DUE DATE FOR EXCISE TAX DEPOSITS; TREATMENT OF LOSS COMPENSATION.

(a) EXTENSION OF DUE DATE FOR EXCISE TAX DEPOSITS-

(1) IN GENERAL- In the case of an eligible air carrier, any airline-related deposit required under section 6302 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to be made after September 10, 2001, and before November 15, 2001, shall be treated for purposes of such Code as timely made if such deposit is made on or before November 15, 2001. If the Secretary of the Treasury so prescribes, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting for `November 15, 2001' each place it appears--

(A) `January 15, 2002', or

(B) such earlier date after November 15, 2001, as such Secretary may prescribe.

(2) ELIGIBLE AIR CARRIER- For purposes of this subsection, the term `eligible air carrier' means any domestic corporation engaged in the trade or business of transporting (for hire) persons by air if such transportation is available to the general public.

(3) AIRLINE-RELATED DEPOSIT- For purposes of this subsection, the term `airline-related deposit' means any deposit of--

(A) taxes imposed by subchapter C of chapter 33 of such Code (relating to transportation by air), and

(B) taxes imposed by chapters 21, 22, and 24 with respect to employees engaged in a trade or business referred to in paragraph (2).

(b) TREATMENT OF LOSS COMPENSATION- Nothing in any provision of law shall be construed to exclude from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 any compensation received under section 101(a)(2) of this Act.

TITLE IV--VICTIM COMPENSATION

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the `September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001'.

SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.

In this title, the following definitions apply:

(1) AIR CARRIER- The term `air carrier' means a citizen of the United States undertaking by any means, directly or indirectly, to provide air transportation and includes employees and agents of such citizen.

(2) AIR TRANSPORTATION- The term `air transportation' means foreign air transportation, interstate air transportation, or the transportation of mail by aircraft.

(3) CLAIMANT- The term `claimant' means an individual filing a claim for compensation under section 405(a)(1).

(4) COLLATERAL SOURCE- The term `collateral source' means all collateral sources, including life insurance, pension funds, death benefit programs, and payments by Federal, State, or local governments related to the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001.

(5) ECONOMIC LOSS- The term `economic loss' means any pecuniary loss resulting from harm (including the loss of earnings or other benefits related to employment, medical expense loss, replacement services loss, loss due to death, burial costs, and loss of business or employment opportunities) to the extent recovery for such loss is allowed under applicable State law.

(6) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- The term `eligible individual' means an individual determined to be eligible for compensation under section 405(c).

(7) NONECONOMIC LOSSES- The term `noneconomic losses' means losses for physical and emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and companionship, loss of consortium (other than loss of domestic service), hedonic damages, injury to reputation, and all other nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature.

(8) SPECIAL MASTER- The term `Special Master' means the Special Master appointed under section 404(a).

SEC. 403. PURPOSE.

It is the purpose of this title to provide compensation to any individual (or relatives of a deceased individual) who was physically injured or killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001.

SEC. 404. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General, acting through a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General, shall--

(1) administer the compensation program established under this title;

(2) promulgate all procedural and substantive rules for the administration of this title; and

(3) employ and supervise hearing officers and other administrative personnel to perform the duties of the Special Master under this title.

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to pay the administrative and support costs for the Special Master in carrying out this title.

SEC. 405. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR COMPENSATION.

(a) FILING OF CLAIM-

(1) IN GENERAL- A claimant may file a claim for compensation under this title with the Special Master. The claim shall be on the form developed under paragraph (2) and shall state the factual basis for eligibility for compensation and the amount of compensation sought.

(2) CLAIM FORM-

(A) IN GENERAL- The Special Master shall develop a claim form that claimants shall use when submitting claims under paragraph (1). The Special Master shall ensure that such form can be filed electronically, if determined to be practicable.

(B) CONTENTS- The form developed under subparagraph (A) shall request--

(i) information from the claimant concerning the physical harm that the claimant suffered, or in the case of a claim filed on behalf of a decedent information confirming the decedent's death, as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001;

(ii) information from the claimant concerning any possible economic and noneconomic losses that the claimant suffered as a result of such crashes; and

(iii) information regarding collateral sources of compensation the claimant has received or is entitled to receive as a result of such crashes.

(3) LIMITATION- No claim may be filed under paragraph (1) after the date that is 2 years after the date on which regulations are promulgated under section 407.

(b) REVIEW AND DETERMINATION-

(1) REVIEW- The Special Master shall review a claim submitted under subsection (a) and determine--

(A) whether the claimant is an eligible individual under subsection (c);

(B) with respect to a claimant determined to be an eligible individual--

(i) the extent of the harm to the claimant, including any economic and noneconomic losses; and

(ii) the amount of compensation to which the claimant is entitled based on the harm to the claimant, the facts of the claim, and the individual circumstances of the claimant.

(2) NEGLIGENCE- With respect to a claimant, the Special Master shall not consider negligence or any other theory of liability.

(3) DETERMINATION- Not later than 120 days after that date on which a claim is filed under subsection (a), the Special Master shall complete a review, make a determination, and provide written notice to the claimant, with respect to the matters that were the subject of the claim under review. Such a determination shall be final and not subject to judicial review.

(4) RIGHTS OF CLAIMANT- A claimant in a review under paragraph (1) shall have--

(A) the right to be represented by an attorney;

(B) the right to present evidence, including the presentation of witnesses and documents; and

(5) NO PUNITIVE DAMAGES- The Special Master may not include amounts for punitive damages in any compensation paid under a claim under this title.

(6) COLLATERAL COMPENSATION- The Special Master shall reduce the amount of compensation determined under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) by the amount of the collateral source compensation the claimant has received or is entitled to receive as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001.

(1) IN GENERAL- A claimant shall be determined to be an eligible individual for purposes of this subsection if the Special Master determines that such claimant--

(A) is an individual described in paragraph (2); and

(B) meets the requirements of paragraph (3).

(2) INDIVIDUALS- A claimant is an individual described in this paragraph if the claimant is--

(A) an individual who--

(i) was present at the World Trade Center, (New York, New York), the Pentagon (Arlington, Virginia), or the site of the aircraft crash at Shanksville, Pennsylvania at the time, or in the immediate aftermath, of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001; and

(ii) suffered physical harm or death as a result of such an air crash;

(B) an individual who was a member of the flight crew or a passenger on American Airlines flight 11 or 77 or United Airlines flight 93 or 175, except that an individual identified by the Attorney General to have been a participant or conspirator in the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001, or a representative of such individual shall not be eligible to receive compensation under this title; or

(C) in the case of a decedent who is an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B), the personal representative of the decedent who files a claim on behalf of the decedent.

(3) REQUIREMENTS-

(A) SINGLE CLAIM- Not more than one claim may be submitted under this title by an individual or on behalf of a deceased individual.

(B) LIMITATION ON CIVIL ACTION-

(i) IN GENERAL- Upon the submission of a claim under this title, the claimant waives the right to file a civil action (or to be a party to an action) in any Federal or State court for damages sustained as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001. The preceding sentence does not apply to a civil action to recover collateral source obligations.

(ii) PENDING ACTIONS- In the case of an individual who is a party to a civil action described in clause (i), such individual may not submit a claim under this title unless such individual withdraws from such action by the date that is 90 days after the date on which regulations are promulgated under section 407.

SEC. 406. PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Not later than 20 days after the date on which a determination is made by the Special Master regarding the amount of compensation due a claimant under this title, the Special Master shall authorize payment to such claimant of the amount determined with respect to the claimant.

(b) PAYMENT AUTHORITY- This title constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Federal Government to provide for the payment of amounts for compensation under this title.

(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General is authorized to accept such amounts as may be contributed by individuals, business concerns, or other entities to carry out this title, under such terms and conditions as the Attorney General may impose.

(2) USE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT- In making payments under this section, amounts contained in any account containing funds provided under paragraph (1) shall be used prior to using appropriated amounts.

SEC. 407. REGULATIONS.

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Special Master, shall promulgate regulations to carry out this title, including regulations with respect to--

(1) forms to be used in submitting claims under this title;

(2) the information to be included in such forms;

(3) procedures for hearing and the presentation of evidence;

(4) procedures to assist an individual in filing and pursuing claims under this title; and

(5) other matters determined appropriate by the Attorney General.

SEC. 408. LIMITATION ON AIR CARRIER LIABILITY.

(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, liability for all claims, whether for compensatory or punitive damages, arising from the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001, against any air carrier shall not be in an amount greater than the limits of the liability coverage maintained by the air carrier.

(b) FEDERAL CAUSE OF ACTION-

(1) AVAILABILITY OF ACTION- There shall exist a Federal cause of action for damages arising out of the hijacking and subsequent crashes of American Airlines flights 11 and 77, and United Airlines flights 93 and 175, on September 11, 2001. Notwithstanding section 40120(c) of title 49, United States Code, this cause of action shall be the exclusive remedy for damages arising out of the hijacking and subsequent crashes of such flights.

(2) SUBSTANTIVE LAW- The substantive law for decision in any such suit shall be derived from the law, including choice of law principles, of the State in which the crash occurred unless such law is inconsistent with or preempted by Federal law.

(3) JURISDICTION- The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over all actions brought for any claim (including any claim for loss of property, personal injury, or death) resulting from or relating to the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001.

(c) EXCLUSION- Nothing in this section shall in any way limit any liability of any person who is a knowing participant in any conspiracy to hijack any aircraft or commit any terrorist act.

SEC. 409. RIGHT OF SUBROGATION.

The United States shall have the right of subrogation with respect to any claim paid by the United States under this title.

TITLE V--AIR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

SEC. 501. INCREASED AIR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Congress affirms the President's decision to spend $3,000,000,000 on airline safety and security in conjunction with this Act in order to restore public confidence in the airline industry.

SEC. 502. CONGRESSIONAL COMMITMENT.

Congress is committed to act expeditiously, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to strengthen airport security and take further measures to enhance the security of air travel.

TITLE VI--SEPARABILITY

SEC. 601. SEPARABILITY.

If any provision of this Act (including any amendment made by this Act) or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Act (including any amendment made by this Act) and the application thereof to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Passed the House of Representatives September 21, 2001.

Attest:

Clerk.

107th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2926

AN ACT

To preserve the continued viability of the United States air transportation system.

END

Source:
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