BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SJR 7|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
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|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SJR 7
Author: Lieu (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 8-1, 4/16/13
AYES: DeSaulnier, Beall, Galgiani, Hueso, Lara, Liu, Roth,
Wyland
NOES: Gaines
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cannella, Pavley
SUBJECT : Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act
of 2013
SOURCE : Citizens for Quiet Helicopters
DIGEST : This bill requests the United States (U.S.) 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 U.S. While federal
regulations 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
CONTINUED
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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, 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
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 the U.S. 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.
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. This
resolution, sponsored by Citizens for Quiet Helicopters, notes
that helicopter flights have increased dramatically in recent
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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
resources.
Previous legislation
AJR 25 (Feuer, Resolution Chapter 73, Statutes of 2012),
requests the U.S. 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.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/17/13)
Citizens for Quiet Helicopters (source)
Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association
City of Lomita
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
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : The author's office 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's
office contends that federal law pre-empts California from
adopting regulations to mitigate the impacts of commercial
helicopters."
JJA:d 4/18/13 Senate Floor Analyses
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SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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