Aviation-Impacted Communities Act

Bill Number

H.R. 897

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Last Updated

2025-07-01T11:06:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Aviation-Impacted Communities Act (H.R. 897) aims to address aviation-related noise and other environmental impacts on communities near airports, especially those outside the traditional 65 DNL (Day-Night Average Sound Level, a measure of average noise over a 24-hour period) threshold used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It expands access to funding for noise reduction, promotes community involvement in decision-making, and requires studies to better understand and mitigate these effects.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility for Funding and Support (Section 2): Communities affected by aviation noise but not meeting the 65 DNL standard can access funds from the Airport Improvement Program for noise mitigation and grants under Section 7. These communities also gain the right to form boards to tackle local airport noise issues.

• National Academy of Sciences Study and Tools (Section 3): The FAA must contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study global aviation impacts, focusing on major U.S. airports (e.g., in Seattle, Boston, Chicago) and surrounding areas. The study will review data on noise levels, flight paths, emissions, and community effects, considering factors like multiple airports or unique geography. It will produce a framework and diagnostic tool for assessing community impacts (e.g., frequent overhead flights or nighttime noise) and identifying structures eligible for mitigation. Input from communities must be included to ensure accessibility.

• Community Designation Process (Section 4): Within 90 days of enactment, the FAA must outreach to local officials in affected areas using local media in relevant languages. Officials can request designation for their community, which the FAA must approve and list online. Communities decide which parts are impacted.

• Community Boards (Section 5): Designated communities must form boards within 6 months, with equal representation from local officials, airport operators, residents, and health/environment experts. Boards can maintain existing groups if they add resident and expert input. Boards meet as needed to share information with the FAA and airports, draft reports on local concerns, and request assessments (limited to once every 3 years, with exceptions for major changes like increased flights). The FAA provides noise monitoring tools upon request and ensures assessments are culturally and linguistically accessible. Regional assessments are possible for multiple nearby communities.

• Action Plans and Appeals (Section 6): Within 6 months of an assessment, the FAA must collaborate with boards to create action plans, including long-term strategies like sound insulation, air filters, or flight path adjustments. If assessments suggest operational changes (e.g., altering altitudes), the FAA must consider them based on population density. If changes are rejected, the FAA explains why. Communities can appeal rejections to an independent panel of health, environmental, and aviation experts (recommended by the National Academy of Sciences), which responds within 9 months. Panel findings are shared publicly, with Congress, and local officials.

• Mitigation Funding (Section 7): Within 180 days of an action plan, the FAA provides grants for noise reduction in residences, hospitals, schools, places of worship, and other facilities identified in assessments. Standards for eligibility use the new diagnostic tool, covering measures like soundproofing, noise barriers, or community-specific solutions. Special provisions target areas with high flight frequency, new procedures, or significant nighttime noise (e.g., 55 DNL or higher from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).

• Funding Authorization (Section 8): Authorizes $750 million from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2025–2034, plus up to 0.25% of annual uncommitted balances afterward. Funds primarily go to grants (Section 7), with up to 5% for FAA administration and the rest to general airport noise programs.

• Definitions (Section 9): Key terms include "aviation-impacted community" (areas within 1 mile of low-altitude commercial/cargo jet routes near large hubs), "impact" (noise, pollution, or other effects), and "FAA designee" (a liaison for community engagement).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands noise mitigation eligibility beyond the strict 65 DNL contour, incorporating measured data, community testimonials, and new metrics for high-frequency or nighttime noise (e.g., 55 DNL threshold for night operations).
• Introduces mandatory community boards and assessments, shifting from FAA-led processes to collaborative, resident-involved ones.
• Requires a comprehensive National Academy of Sciences study and tools, which could update FAA's noise evaluation methods under existing regulations like Part 150 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
• Adds an appeals process with independent expert panels, providing a new check on FAA decisions.
• Increases funding access via the Airport Improvement Program and dedicated grants, without requiring full 65 DNL compliance.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The FAA gains new duties for outreach, assessments, action plans, and funding distribution, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs (up to 5% of funds). It must collaborate more with communities and experts, which could influence flight operations and air traffic control.
• On Citizens: Residents in affected areas (e.g., near major airports) benefit from noise reduction measures, better health protections, and a stronger voice in FAA decisions, potentially improving quality of life through quieter environments and equitable resource allocation.
• On Airport Operators: Airports may face requirements to adjust procedures, provide grants, and engage with boards, balancing operations with community needs.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic U.S. airports and communities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Aviation-Impacted Communities and Residents: Primary beneficiaries, gaining funding, assessments, and representation to address noise and pollution.
• Local, State, and Regional Officials: Involved in designation, board formation, and advocacy for their areas.
• FAA and Airport Operators: Responsible for implementation, funding, and operational changes.
• Public Health and Environmental Experts: Serve on boards and appeal panels to ensure science-based decisions.
• National Academy of Sciences: Conducts the required study and recommends experts.
• Congress and Taxpayers: Oversee funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which relies on aviation-related taxes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens enforcement of environmental protections under the National Environmental Policy Act by mandating community input and data-driven assessments, potentially leading to more litigation if FAA appeals are perceived as inadequate. Defines "impacts" broadly, allowing flexibility but risking disputes over eligibility.
• Constitutional: Enhances due process and equal protection by providing appeals and equitable mitigation for underserved communities (e.g., via comparative equity analysis), without infringing on federal aviation authority.
• Political: Promotes bipartisanship through community-focused solutions but could spark debates over FAA autonomy versus local control. The $750 million authorization ties to trust fund revenues, raising questions about long-term fiscal sustainability amid growing air travel.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
• 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-31: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Aviation-Impacted Communities Act — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (18 pages)