This bill creates a pilot program for repairing or replacing residential sound insulation that was installed with earlier federal airport noise funds. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would set up the pilot at up to 4 large hub public-use airports. Local airport operators that run programs funded with non-aeronautical revenue can get a one-time waiver to the usual grant rules so they can pay for repair or replacement of previously federally assisted sound insulation when certain conditions are met.
To qualify, the FAA Secretary must find the additional help is justified because the earlier insulation caused physical damage or was low-quality and no longer works. The home must be in the 65 to 75 decibel Day-Night Level (DNL) noise contour on the most recent noise map, or must have been in that contour when the original insulation was installed and now fail inspection by a qualified noise auditor. Testing must show current interior noise above DNL 45 decibels and that new insulation can reduce noise by at least 5 dB. Applicants must try warranties, insurance, and legal remedies first. The prior federally funded insulation must have been installed before 2002. A qualified noise auditor must verify deterioration or damage not caused by the owner. The bill also lets airports pay for optional, periodic surveys of interested property owners to check insulation effectiveness.
The bill adds a rule that, for projects given this waiver, allowable project costs are calculated without counting costs the Government already paid for earlier work.
No publicly available information on total federal costs, appropriations, or budget estimates is included in the bill text. The bill does change how allowable project costs are calculated for projects that get the pilot waiver: previously paid Government costs are excluded when determining the allowable project cost for that project.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.