TRANSFER OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER; CLOSING OF FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS.

SEC. 1216. TRANSFER OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER; CLOSING OF FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS. (a) Hickory, North Carolina Tower.— (1) Transfer.— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may transfer any title, right, or interest the United States has in the air traffic control tower located at the Hickory Regional Airport to the City of Hickory, North Carolina, for the purpose of enabling the city to provide air traffic control services to operators of aircraft. (2) Study.— The Administrator shall conduct a study to determine whether the number of operations at Hickory Regional Airport meet the criteria for contract towers and shall 110 STAT. 3285certify in writing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Commerce and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives whether that airport meets those criteria. (b) New Bern-Craven County Station.— The Administrator shall not close the New Bern-Craven County flight services station or the Hickory Regional Airport flight service station unless the Administrator certifies in writing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that such closure will not result in a degradation of air safety and that it will reduce costs to taxpayers. (c) Pierre, South Dakota Station.— The Administrator shall not close the Pierre, South Dakota Regional Airport flight service station unless following the 180th day after the date of the enactment of this Act the Administrator certifies in writing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that such closure will not result in a degradation of air safety, air service, or the loss of meteorological services or data that cannot otherwise be obtained in a more cost-effective manner, and that it will reduce costs to taxpayers.