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119-hr-8717119th CongressWALLET

Negating Neighborhood Noise Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would limit Highway Trust Fund payments for most Type II highway noise barriers while allowing narrow exceptions and enabling multipurpose uses. It would add Surface Transportation Block Grant eligibility for certain Type II barriers, require aesthetic review following the Federal Highway Administration Noise Barrier Design Handbook, and define multipurpose barriers as those that provide environmental, economic, or social benefits in addition to noise reduction.

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  • States and project sponsors would face new funding limits for Type II barriers. The bill creates three narrow exceptions and includes a residential exception tied to groups of homes that are at least 10 years old when proposed.
  • Surface Transportation Block Grant Funds would be allowed to pay to plan, design, preserve, or build Type II barriers, provided those projects meet the restrictions in section 339(b) of the National Highway System Design Act.
  • Local governments could approve multipurpose barriers that host renewable energy, electric transmission or distribution, or broadband conduit. Project sponsors must consider aesthetics when building or preserving barriers using the latest FHWA Noise Barrier Design Handbook.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits Highway Trust Fund for Noise Barriers

This bill would stop Highway Trust Fund money from being used to build Type II noise barriers under subsections (h) and (i) of 23 U.S.C. 109. Three exceptions would allow trust fund use: if the barrier was not part of a project approved by the Secretary before November 28, 1995; if the barrier is along land developed or under substantial construction before approval of the highway right-of-way acquisition; or if the Secretary determines the barrier separates a highway from a group of structures where the majority closest to the highway are residential and at least 10 years old when proposed. The restriction would take effect upon enactment.

Allow Multipurpose Barriers and Design Rules

This bill would allow noise barriers built or preserved under section 339(b) or with title 23 funds to serve as multipurpose barriers. A State, on behalf of the Secretary, would be able to approve a secondary beneficial use inside a Federal-aid highway right-of-way. Secondary uses would include hosting renewable energy, electrical transmission and distribution, or broadband conduit. The bill would also require project sponsors to consider barrier aesthetics consistent with the latest Federal Highway Administration Noise Barrier Design Handbook. Both rules would take effect upon enactment.

Block Grant Money for Noise Barriers

This bill would let Surface Transportation Block Grant funds be used to plan, design, preserve, or construct Type II noise barriers, as long as the activities follow the requirements of section 339(b). State and local transportation agencies and project sponsors would be able to use those block grant funds for these specific noise barrier activities. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

GA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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