HR 2216119th CongressIn Committee

To amend title 49, United States Code, to except from certain requirements relating to eligibility for essential air service Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes.

Introduced: Mar 18, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill makes a targeted change to the federal rules governing Essential Air Service (EAS). Specifically, it amends Section 41731(c) of title 49, United States Code, to treat the territory of Guam and the territory of the Northern Mariana Islands the same as Alaska and Hawaii for certain eligibility requirements related to EAS. In practical terms, the bill expands the group of jurisdictions considered under the EAS eligibility framework to include Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, aligning their treatment with the existing Alaska/Hawaii framework. The text provided does not specify new funding amounts or new service requirements, but it signals an intent to exempt or otherwise adjust how Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are evaluated under EAS rules. The bill was introduced in the House on March 18, 2025, by Rep. Moylan (with Rep. King-Hinds) and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It is a narrow, definitional amendment rather than a broad overhaul of EAS policy.

Key Points

1Expands the eligibility framework: The subsection heading in 49 U.S.C. 41731(c) would read “Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands.”
2Replaces references to states with territories: The text would substitute “State of Alaska or the State of Hawaii” with “State of Alaska, the State of Hawaii, the territory of Guam, or the territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
3Parity with non-contiguous areas: Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands would be treated within the same eligibility framework as Alaska and Hawaii for purposes of EAS.
4Scope is limited to wording changes: The amendment changes definitions/labels; it does not include explicit new funding levels, service obligations, or substantive policy changes beyond eligibility terminology.
5Procedural status: Introduced in the House on March 18, 2025; referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, in the context of their eligibility for Essential Air Service.Secondary group/area affected: Carriers and transportation agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration) administering EAS, which would apply the same framework to these territories as it does to Alaska and Hawaii.Additional impacts: Could influence how eligibility determinations are made and how communities in Guam and NMI qualify for EAS, potentially affecting subsidy considerations, route designations, and service requirements under EAS. The bill does not specify funding changes, so any fiscal impact would depend on subsequent implementing rules and subsidies resulting from applying this expanded framework.

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