[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 16 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S470-S471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 208. A bill to require the Federal Aviation Administration to 
prescribe regulations to reduce helicopter noise pollution in 
residential areas in Los Angeles County, California; to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Los Angeles 
Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013.
  This legislation, which I introduce with Senator Boxer, would require 
the

[[Page S471]]

Federal Aviation Administration to prescribe regulations for helicopter 
operations in the skies above Los Angeles in order to reduce helicopter 
noise pollution in residential areas.
  In addition to addressing noise, the FAA's regulations would have to 
increase safety, minimize commercial aircraft delays, and exempt first 
responders and military aircraft from their limitations.
  The bill also would direct the FAA to consult with local communities 
and local helicopter operators when developing the regulations.
  This legislation is necessary because today the citizens of Los 
Angeles County suffer intrusive and disruptive low-flying helicopter 
traffic above their neighborhoods to an unprecedented degree.
  The unique terrain of Los Angeles, with its many canyons and valleys, 
often concentrates the high decibel level noise from low-flying 
helicopters on many of the millions of homes in the county.
  The noise interrupts daily life for Los Angeles County's residents, 
drowning out conversations and disrupting sleep cycles.
  Despite multiple efforts from several community and homeowner 
organizations in Los Angeles County to address these disturbances over 
many years, helicopter traffic in Los Angeles County is not currently 
regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration or any other agency.
  As one expert recently explained to The Los Angeles Times, a 
helicopter pilot is free to hover over a person's home for as many 
hours as he would like. The only limitation on helicopter hovering, in 
fact, appears to be fuel supply.
  Last year, at my request the Senate Appropriations Committee directed 
the Federal Aviation Administration to begin developing solutions to 
this matter.
  In response, the Federal Aviation Administration formed an internal 
working group in July 2012 to solicit input from local communities and 
stakeholders on helicopter noise and safety issues in Los Angeles 
County.
  As part of that process, FAA Regional Administrator Bill Withycombe 
hosted several public meetings in the summer and fall of 2012 that have 
allowed stakeholders and citizens to express their concerns and propose 
solutions.
  The Federal Aviation Administration will 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.
  The study is a necessary first step in order to determine how 
helicopters can be regulated in Los Angeles County in a manner that 
provides relief to residents from helicopter noise and increase safety.
  But the study is only a first step. It must be followed by meaningful 
and effective regulations to limit the impacts of these helicopters. I 
introduce this legislation in order to ensure that the FAA will follow 
through on the regulatory options it plans to evaluate in its May 2013 
report.
  This legislation directs the FAA to act in the interest of the 
millions of Americans in Los Angeles County. I appreciate the steps the 
FAA has taken to date, but only regulations appear capable of 
addressing the quality of life impact caused by helicopters in Los 
Angeles.
  Last August, thousands of people sat in the stands of the Hollywood 
Bowl for a night of Beethoven.
  Nestled into the Hollywood Hills and with little sign of the Nation's 
second largest city that surrounds it, the Hollywood Bowl is a unique 
spot to take in a concert.
  But just as violinist Renaud Capucon stood for a solo, an 
unidentified helicopter flew overhead, drowning out the sound of his 
music.
  It was an upsetting event for the audience, but it is far from 
unusual.
  The people of Los Angeles have had too many wonderful outdoor 
concerts and other cultural events disrupted by helicopters that fly 
without restriction.
  Choppers in L.A.'s sky have caused too many sleepless nights.
  Paparazzi helicopters have too often flown dangerously low and close 
to homes in their constant pursuit of celebrity images.
  The air space above Los Angeles is the exclusive jurisdiction of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, so to bring some sanity to the skies 
above L.A. requires Federal action, and Federal leadership.
  This legislation directs the FAA to provide that leadership necessary 
to protect the public interest.
  I encourage my colleagues to support it, and I look forward to 
working with my fellow members to enact this important legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 208

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Los Angeles Residential 
     Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Residents throughout Los Angeles County suffer 
     intrusive and disruptive low-flying helicopter traffic above 
     their neighborhoods. The unique terrain of canyons and 
     valleys that surround residential neighborhoods in Los 
     Angeles County often concentrate high decibel level noise 
     from the low-flying helicopters in and around Los Angeles 
     County residences. The concentrated noise interrupts daily 
     life for many Los Angeles County residents by drowning out 
     conversations and disrupting sleep cycles.
       (2) Los Angeles County is home to a uniquely large 
     concentration of scenic, historic, entertainment, and 
     transportation venues, including sight-seeing, movie studios, 
     movie star homes, outdoor entertainment facilities, Griffith 
     Park, the Hollywood Sign, freeways, and many others, that 
     generate extensive helicopter activity.
       (3) Los Angeles County is home to the world's leading civil 
     helicopter manufacturer that conducts extensive helicopter 
     operational testing across the region.
       (4) Despite multiple efforts from several community and 
     homeowner organizations in Los Angeles County to address 
     these disturbances, helicopter traffic in Los Angeles County 
     is not currently regulated by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration or any other agency.
       (5) At the request of members of Congress, the Federal 
     Aviation Administration formed an internal working group in 
     July 2012 to solicit input from local communities and 
     stakeholders on helicopter noise and safety issues in Los 
     Angeles County.
       (6) As part of that process, several public meetings were 
     held in the fall and summer of 2012 that have allowed the 
     Federal Aviation Administration and stakeholders to hear and 
     better understand the concerns and complaints of affected 
     residents.
       (7) The Federal Aviation Administration 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.
       (8) The report is expected to explore how helicopters can 
     be regulated in Los Angeles County in a manner that provides 
     relief to residents from helicopter noise while also meeting 
     the needs of relevant stakeholders, including first 
     responders.

     SEC. 3. REGULATIONS TO REDUCE HELICOPTER NOISE POLLUTION IN 
                   CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

       (a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
     Aviation Administration shall prescribe regulations for 
     helicopter operations in Los Angeles County, California, that 
     include requirements relating to the flight paths and 
     altitudes associated with such operations to reduce 
     helicopter noise pollution in residential areas, increase 
     safety, and minimize scheduled commercial aircraft delays.
       (b) Exemptions.--In prescribing regulations under 
     subsection (a), the Administrator shall exempt helicopter 
     operations related to emergency, law enforcement, or military 
     activities from the requirements described in that 
     subsection.
       (c) Consultations.--In prescribing regulations under 
     subsection (a), the Administrator shall make reasonable 
     efforts to consult with local communities and local 
     helicopter operators in order to develop regulations that 
     meet the needs of local communities, helicopter operators, 
     and the Federal Aviation Administration.
                                 ______