STUDY ON ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORM.

SEC. 452. STUDY ON ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORM. (a) Study.— (1) In general.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the effects of section 6 of the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV (Public Law 112-27), section 421 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95), and other relevant Federal laws enacted after 2010, including the amendments made by those laws, on the Essential Air Service program. (2) Scope.—In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall analyze, at a minimum— (A) the impact of each relevant Federal law, including the amendments made by each law, on the Essential Air Service program; (B) what actions communities and air carriers have taken to reduce ticket prices or increase enplanements as a result of each law; (C) the issuance of waivers by the Secretary under section 41731(e) of title 49, United States Code; (D) whether budgetary savings resulted from each law; and (E) options for further reform of the Essential Air Service program. (b) Required Analysis on Communities.—In carrying out subsection (a)(2)(E) the Comptroller General shall include, for each option for further reform, an analysis of the impact on local economies of communities with airports receiving Essential Air Service funding, access to air travel for residents of rural communities and the impact to local businesses in such communities. (c) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).