ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION.

SEC. 404. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZATION. Section 41742 is amended—(1) in subsection (a)(2)—(A) by striking “$15,000,000” and inserting “$77,000,000”; and(B) by inserting before the period at the end “of which not more than $12,000,000 per fiscal year may be used for the marketing incentive program for communities and for State marketing assistance”;(2) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:“(3) Authorization for additional employees.—In addition to amounts authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the Secretary of Transportation to hire and employ 4 additional employees for the office responsible for carrying out the essential air service program.”; and117 STAT. 2544(3) by striking subsection (c).