Sound Insulation Treatment Repair and Replacement Program Act

This bill sets up a small pilot program to fix or replace faulty airport noise insulation in homes near up to four large airports. The Federal Aviation Administration must start the program within 120 days of the law taking effect. It allows a one-time waiver so some homes that already got federally supported insulation can get help again if the old materials were poor quality, caused damage, or no longer work. The program applies to homes in the 65–75 dB day‑night noise area, and only if tests show indoor noise is above 45 dB and new work can cut noise by at least 5 dB. Airports must already have a local program that uses non‑aeronautical money to address secondary noise. Before getting help, owners and airports must try to use any warranties, insurance, or other remedies first, and the old insulation must have been installed before 2002. The government can also pay for surveys to check how past insulation is holding up and find homes that qualify. For these repair projects, allowable costs are calculated without counting what the government paid before, so past aid doesn’t block new help.

Key points

• Who is affected: Homeowners near large airports in the 65–75 dB noise area whose homes previously received federally supported sound insulation before 2002.
• What changes: A one-time waiver lets eligible homes get repair or replacement of faulty insulation; airports can use federal funds again, and the government can fund follow‑up surveys to find problems.
• Basic eligibility: Old insulation caused damage or failed; indoor noise now above 45 dB; new work can cut noise by 5 dB; owners and airports first try warranties/insurance/legal remedies.
• When: FAA must launch the pilot within 120 days after the law takes effect.
• Cost rule: For these projects, allowable costs ignore past government payments, making it easier to fund needed fixes.