Aviation-Impacted Communities Act
Sponsored By: Representative Smith (WA)
In Committee
Summary
Would expand access to noise mitigation funding for aviation-impacted communities. It would also create local community boards, require a National Academy of Sciences framework to assess impacts, and broaden grant eligibility beyond the 65 DNL model.
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- Residents and local institutions would gain new eligibility for sound insulation and other mitigation for homes, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and places of worship, with special focus on areas at or above a 55 DNL contour and on nighttime noise between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- Local governments and neighborhood representatives could form community boards made up of elected officials, airport operators, residents, and public health or environment reps. Boards could request community assessments generally once every 3 years and would get FAA-supported action plans within 6 months after an assessment.
- The National Academy of Sciences would produce a diagnostic framework and tool to guide assessments at major hub regions. The Federal Aviation Administration would facilitate instrumentation, make designations public, and the bill would authorize grants and programs to follow the NAS guidance, including funding.
*Would authorize $750 million from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY2025–FY2034, allow up to 5% for administrative costs, and permit future funding tied to up to 0.25% of the annual change in the Trust Fund's uncommitted balance.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Funding for airport noise mitigation grants
If enacted, the program would receive $750 million total for 2025–2034 from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. After 2034, funding could continue each year up to 0.25% of the Trust Fund’s annual change in uncommitted balance. Up to 5% could cover FAA administration, with the rest going to grants.
Community boards, assessments, and home noise grants
If enacted, neighborhoods within 1 mile of a jet route at 3,000 feet or lower could be designated as aviation‑impacted. The FAA would do outreach within 90 days, and the community would set up a board within 6 months of designation. Boards could request an FAA assessment once every 3 years (sooner after a Part 150 study or a big jump in flights). Within 6 months after an assessment, the FAA and the board would issue an action plan and consider flight‑path or operations changes; if declined, the FAA must explain. Not later than 180 days after the plan, grants would fund insulation, filters, and other fixes for homes, schools, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes, places of worship, and other sites in areas with high‑frequency flights, new procedures, or 55 DNL noise (including measured 55 DNL outside model contours) with many night flights (10 p.m.–6 a.m.). The FAA would set structure‑eligibility standards using the NAS diagnostic tool.
National study and tool on airport impacts
If enacted, the FAA would hire the National Academy of Sciences to build a clear framework and tool to measure airport noise and other impacts. The study would gather noise readings, flight tracks, emissions, and community input at large hub airports. The tool would guide assessments and recommend mitigation steps that communities can understand and use.
Independent appeals on FAA noise decisions
If enacted, a community board could appeal when the FAA declines an action‑plan change. An independent panel of public health, environmental, and aviation experts would review the case. The panel must meet within 6 months of an appeal and respond within 3 months. Findings would be public and shared with elected officials.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Cosponsors
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
VA • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 2/10/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 2/10/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/10/2025
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
MD • D
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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