“A bill to authorize the establishment of pilot programs for sound insulation repair and replacement.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a pilot program under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP)—which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure and noise mitigation, including soundproofing residences affected by aircraft noise—at up to four large hub public-use airports for operators that fund secondary noise mitigation using non-aeronautical revenue. The program authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), not later than 120 days after enactment, to grant a one-time waiver of AIP duplicate-funding restrictions (under 49 U.S.C. 47110(b)(4)) for repair or replacement of sound insulation in eligible residential buildings previously assisted under AIP if (1) the Secretary of Transportation determines additional aid is justified due to prior federal soundproofing materials; (2) the residence is within Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) 65-75 decibel contours on the most recent noise exposure map, was within those contours when initially treated but the treatment caused damage or used low-quality materials that deteriorated (per qualified noise auditor), and current interior noise exceeds DNL 45 decibels with proposed treatment achieving at least a 5-decibel reduction; and (3) the applicant exhausted warranties, insurance, and legal remedies, the prior treatment was installed before 2002, and a qualified noise auditor confirms structural deterioration not due to owner neglect. For such waived projects, allowable costs under 49 U.S.C. 47109 exclude any amounts previously paid by the federal government. (Thus, full federal cost-sharing applies without offset for prior AIP assistance.) The section further authorizes AIP funding for periodic surveys by participating airports of previously treated properties (with owner interest) to assess treatment effectiveness and identify repair/replacement needs.