Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 5.djvu/149

 PUBLIC LAW 104-264—OCT. 9, 1996 110 STAT. 3223 "(h) PRIORITY FOR LETTERS OF INTENT.— In making grants in a fiscal year with funds made available under this section, the Secretary shall fulfill intentions to obligate under section 47110(e).". SEC. 146. SMALL AIRPORT FUND. Section 47116 is amended by adding at the end the following: "(d) PRIORITY CONSIDERATION FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS.— In making grants to sponsors described in subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall give priority consideration to multi-year projects for construction of new runways that the Secretary finds are cost beneficial and would increase capacity in a region of the United States.". SEC. 147. STATE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. (a) PARTICIPATING STATES. —Section 47128 is amended— (1) in subsection (a) by striking "7 qualified States" and inserting "8 qualified States for fiscal year 1997 and 9 qualified States for each fiscal year thereafter"; (2) in subsection (b)(1)— (A) by striking "(1)"; and (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as paragraphs (1) through (5), respectively; and (3) by striking subsection (b)(2). (b) USE OF STATE PRIORITY SYSTEM.—Section 47128(c) is amended— (1) by striking "(b)(1)(B) or (C)" and inserting "(b)(2) or (b)(3)"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall permit a State to use the priority system of the State if such system is not inconsistent with the national priority system.". (c) REPEAL OF EXPIRATION DATE.— (1) IN GENERAL. —Section 47128 is amended— (A) by striking "pilot" in the section heading; (B) by striking "pilot" in subsection (a); and (C) by striking subsection (d). (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 471 is amended by striking the item relating to section 47128 and inserting the following: "47128. State block grant program.". SEC. 148. INNOVATIVE FINANCING TECHNIQUES. 49 USC 47101 (a) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to carry out a demonstration program under which the Secretary may approve applications under subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, for not more than 10 projects for which grants received under such subchapter may be used to implement innovative financing techniques. (b) PURPOSE.— The purpose of the demonstration program shall be to provide information on the use of innovative financing techniques for airport development projects to Congress and the National Civil Aviation Review Commission. (c) LIMITATION.—In no case shall the implementation of an innovative financing technique under the demonstration program result in a direct or indirect guarantee of any airport debt instrument by the Federal Government. (d) INNOVATIVE FINANCING TECHNIQUE DEFINED. — In this section, the term "innovative financing technique" shall be limited to the following:

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