H.R. 5874, the 'Decrease Noise Levels Act,' introduced in February 2020, would require the FAA to lower the threshold for significant aircraft noise from a day-night average sound level of 65 to 60 decibels. The bill also directs the FAA to publish a public report within one year outlining a strategy to further reduce residential noise levels to 55 decibels over the following decade. Additionally, it mandates that community outreach efforts include evaluations of alternative noise measurement metrics beyond the current standard.Open full document
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House bill introduced in the 116th Congress requiring the FAA Administrator to amend regulations in 14 CFR Part 150 to lower the day-night average sound level (DNL) threshold for significant noise from 65 to 60. The bill also requires community outreach to include results of alternative noise metric evaluations and mandates a publicly available report outlining a strategy to reduce maximum DNL to 55 in all residential areas within 10 years.