I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 456 
To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to pre-
scribe regulations to reduce helicopter noise pollution in certain residen-
tial areas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 4, 2013 
Mr. SCHIFF (for himself, Mr. SHERMAN, and Mr. WAXMAN) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration to prescribe regulations to reduce helicopter 
noise pollution in certain residential areas, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Los Angeles Residen-
tial Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Residents across Los Angeles County suffer 
intrusive and disruptive low-flying helicopter traffic 
above their neighborhoods. 
(2) Los Angeles County is home to a unique 
and excessively large concentration of scenic, his-
toric, entertainment, and transportation venues, in-
cluding sight-seeing, movie studios, movie star 
homes, outdoor entertainment facilities, Griffith 
Park, the Hollywood Sign, freeways, and many oth-
ers, 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 in the region. 
(4) The unique terrain of canyons and valleys 
surrounding residential neighborhoods in Los Ange-
les County often concentrates high decibel level noise 
from the low-flying helicopters in and around resi-
dences in Los Angeles County. 
(5) The concentrated noise interrupts daily life 
for many Los Angeles County residents by drowning 
out conversations and disrupting sleep cycles. 
(6) Despite multiple efforts from several com-
munity and homeowner organizations in Los Angeles 
County to address these disturbances, helicopter 
traffic in Los Angeles County is not currently regu-
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lated by the Federal Aviation Administration or any 
other agency. 
(7) 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. 
(8) As part of that process, several public meet-
ings 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. 
(9) The Federal Aviation Administration is 
scheduled to release a report in May 2013 evalu-
ating a full set of voluntary and regulatory options 
to reduce helicopter noise and address safety issues 
in Los Angeles County. 
(10) The report should 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 stake-
holders, including first responders. 
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SEC. 3. REGULATIONS TO REDUCE HELICOPTER NOISE 
POLLUTION 
IN 
CERTAIN 
RESIDENTIAL 
AREAS. 
(a) REGULATIONS REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall pre-
scribe regulations for helicopter operations in Los Angeles 
County, California, that include requirements relating to 
the flight paths and altitudes associated with such oper-
ations 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 mili-
tary activities from the requirements described in that 
subsection. 
(c) CONSULTATIONS.—In prescribing regulations 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall make rea-
sonable 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. 
Æ 
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