NOISE ABATEMENT.

SEC. 301. NOISE ABATEMENT. (a) Notice and Hearing Requirement.— The first sentence of section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (49 U.S.C. App. 2104(a)) is amended by inserting after “any air carriers using such airport” the following: “and after notice and an opportunity for a public hearing”. (b) Federal Share.— Section 104(c)(1) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (49 U.S.C. App. 2104(c)(1)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end of the fourth sentence the following: “or the Federal share which would be applicable to such project if the funds made available for such project were being made available under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 for a project at the airport, whichever percentage is greater”. (c) Soundproofing of Schools and Hospitals.— Section 104(c) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (49 U.S.C. App. 2104(c)) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: “(3) The Secretary is authorized under this section to make grants to operators of airports and to units of local government referred to in paragraph (1) for any project to soundproof any public building (A) which is used primarily for educational or medical purposes in the noise impact area surrounding such airport, and (B) which is determined to be adversely affected by airport noise.”. (d) Procedures for Preparation and Submission of Noise Compatibility Programs.— (1) Study.— The Secretary shall conduct a study of the procedures established under the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 for the preparation and submission of noise compatibility programs. The objectives of such study shall be to determine whether or not such procedures could be revised to provide a more simplified process which meet the objectives of such Act and to determine whether or not expedited and simplified procedures which meet the objectives of such Act could be developed to take into account special circumstances at certain airports. (2) Consultation requirement— In undertaking the study under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult airports, airport users (including air carriers), representatives of persons residing in areas surrounding airports, concerned Federal, State, and local officials, and other interested persons. 101 STAT. 1524 (3) Report.— Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1) together with recommendations. (4) Funding during study.— (A) Congressional intent.— It is the intention of Congress that the authority of the Secretary to make grants under section 104(c)(2) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 to airport operators and units of local government to implement noise compatibility programs that were developed prior to the promulgation of implementing regulations under such Act if the Secretary determines that such programs would further the purposes of such Act shall continue until such programs are fully implemented but not later than the last day of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, notwithstanding any other provision of law and any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to any other provision of law. (B) Continuation.— In order to carry out the intent specified in subparagraph (A), grants may continue to be made under section 104(c)(2) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 for noise compatibility programs or projects previously approved under such program during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, if— (i) the operator of the airport involved submits updated noise exposure contours, as required by the Secretary; and (ii) the Secretary determines that such programs or projects are compatible with the purposes of such Act. (e) Existing Noise Abatement Proposals — (1) Review.— The Administrator shall conduct a study of noise abatement proposals under consideration by airport operators and local governments for the purpose of identifying those proposals which, under existing law or administrative policy, are not currently eligible for Federal assistance and determining whether or not such proposals should be made eligible for Federal assistance. (2) Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations concerning modifications in existing law and administrative policy for making additional noise abatement proposals eligible for Federal assistance.