BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: SJR 7
SENATOR MARK DESAULNIER, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: lieu
VERSION: 3/13/13
Analysis by: Erin Riches FISCAL: no
Hearing date: April 16, 2013
SUBJECT:
Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013
DESCRIPTION:
This bill requests Congress to pass and the President to sign S.
208 and H.R. 456, identical bills requiring the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to enact regulations to address helicopter
noise in Los Angeles County.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law deems the FAA responsible for regulating all
aspects of air travel in the US. While federal regulations
(Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91, Section 119) provide that
aircraft must fly at a minimum altitude of 1,000 feet over
heavily populated areas and 500 feet over other areas,
regulations permit helicopters to fly at lower altitudes
providing "the operation is conducted without hazard to persons
or property on the surface." State law authorizes local
governments to regulate operations of airports within their
jurisdictions, including imposition of noise ceilings, to the
extent permitted by federal law.
During the last session, members of Congress introduced two
bills addressing Los Angeles County helicopter noise but
Congress did not act upon them. S. 2019 (Feinstein) and H.R.
2677 (Berman), each titled the Los Angeles Residential
Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011, would have required the FAA
to enact regulations within three years and one year,
respectively, to reduce helicopter noise pollution in
residential areas in Los Angeles County.
In the current session, members of Congress have introduced two
identical bills, S. 208 (Feinstein) and H.R. 456 (Schiff), each
known as the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act
of 2013. These bills require the FAA to enact regulations
SJR 7 (LIEU) Page 2
within one year to reduce helicopter noise pollution in
residential areas, increase safety, and minimize commercial
aircraft delays in Los Angeles County. Both bills exempt
helicopter operations related to emergency, law enforcement, or
military activities. Both bills also require the FAA to consult
with local communities and local helicopter operators in
developing the regulations.
At the request of Congress, the FAA convened a series of
meetings and public hearings during the summer and fall of 2012
to hear the concerns of residents, communities, and
stakeholders. The FAA is scheduled to release a report in May
2013 evaluating a full set of voluntary and regulatory options
to reduce helicopter noise and address safety issues in Los
Angeles County.
This resolution requests that Congress pass and the President
sign S. 208 and H.R. 456 requiring the FAA to enact regulations
to address helicopter noise in Los Angeles County.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . The author argues that the absence of effective
regulations for commercial helicopter operations in Los
Angeles County negatively impacts the safety and quality of
Los Angeles residents. In addition, the author contends that
federal law pre-empts California from adopting regulations to
mitigate the impacts of commercial helicopters.
2.Background . Los Angeles County experiences a high
concentration of low-flying media and traffic helicopters
engaged in monitoring traffic conditions, touring local
attractions such as the "Hollywood" sign, and filming outdoor
celebrity events. The bill's sponsor, Citizens for Quiet
Helicopters, notes that helicopter flights have increased
dramatically in recent years without any notice to residents
and without environmental review. Residents, homeowner
associations, and community groups have complained for many
years to local officials and have made numerous attempts to
work with local helicopter operators to address noise and
safety issues through voluntary measures. In August 2011, the
Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association submitted a request
to the FAA to adopt a Special Federal Aviation Regulation to
limit helicopter and non-emergency fixed wing traffic to above
2,000 feet above ground level over the Mount
Lee/Hollywood/Griffith Park area in Los Angeles County. The
FAA rejected the request in January 2012, citing lack of
SJR 7 (LIEU) Page 3
resources.
3.Previous legislation . AJR 25 (Feuer), Resolution Chapter 73,
Statutes of 2012, requested Congress to enact and the
President to sign S. 2019 and H.R. 2677, each known as the Los
Angeles Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011 (see above).
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday, April 10,
2013.)
SUPPORT: Citizens for Quiet Helicopters (Sponsor)
Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association
Friends of Griffith Park
Los Angeles Area Helicopter Noise Coalition
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association
Tarzana Property Owners Association
The Oaks Homeowners Association
OPPOSED: None received.