Aviation-Impacted Communities Act
Aviation-Impacted Communities Act
Plain Language Summary
# Aviation-Impacted Communities Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would expand federal funding and protections for communities affected by airplane noise. Currently, the government only helps communities where noise levels exceed a specific threshold (65 DNL). This bill would broaden that to include communities within one mile of commercial or cargo jet routes flying at 3,000 feet or lower, even if they haven't reached that noise threshold yet.
It would also require the FAA to actively reach out to these communities and help them access noise reduction programs. **Who It Affects:** Residents in neighborhoods near airports or under flight paths would be the primary beneficiaries. The bill also affects airport operators and the FAA, which would need to conduct outreach, work with community boards, and develop action plans to address aircraft noise complaints. Airlines and airports may be impacted by new mitigation requirements. **Key Provisions:** - Expands funding eligibility for noise mitigation measures (like soundproofing homes) - Communities can form official boards to report noise issues to airports and the FAA - Communities can request formal assessments and require the FAA to create action plans to reduce noise impacts **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Aviation-Impacted Communities ActThis bill increases access to noise mitigation measures for aviation-impacted communities. Under the bill, an aviation-impacted community is a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.The bill expands noise mitigation program funding under the Airport Improvement Program to include aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community. A designated community must form a community board to provide information to airport operators and the FAA concerning aviation impacts (e.g., aircraft noise).A community board may petition the FAA to conduct a community assessment and, based on the assessment, the FAA must devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the community’s concerns.In addition, the FAA must enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and provide the FAA with a framework and diagnostic tool for conducting community assessments.The FAA must provide grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship. Further, the FAA and airport operators must provide (1) noise mitigation grants for communities subject to significant frequency of overhead flights, and (2) noise mitigation for residences impacted by significant nighttime aircraft noise.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.