Nikema Williams (D-GA)
Negating Neighborhood Noise Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Negating Neighborhood Noise Act of 2026," seeks to amend the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995. It aims to allow the use of Highway Trust Fund money for the construction or preservation of certain Type II noise barriers. These exceptions apply to specific scenarios, such as older residential areas or lands developed before existing highway construction. Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for Surface Transportation Block Grant funds to include these barriers. Finally, it allows for noise barriers to serve multiple purposes, such as hosting infrastructure, and encourages consideration of aesthetics.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill specifically allows noise barriers to host or accommodate renewable energy generation facilities.
- Scored +2
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill provides noise mitigation benefits for older residential neighborhoods.
- Scored +2
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill helps mitigate highway noise in established residential areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Noise Mitigation for Residential Areas: The bill allows for the construction or preservation of Type II noise barriers in areas where the majority of structures are residential and at least 10 years old, providing protection from highway noise (Section 2).
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Infrastructure and Energy Benefits: By allowing "multipurpose noise barriers," the bill enables barriers to host or accommodate renewable energy generation, electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure, or broadband infrastructure and conduit (Section 4).
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Economic, Social, or Environmental Benefits: The definition of "secondary beneficial use" includes providing environmental, economic, or social benefits in addition to noise mitigation (Section 4).
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Improved Visual Appeal: Project sponsors are required to consider the aesthetics of proposed noise barriers consistent with the Noise Barrier Design Handbook (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides noise mitigation benefits for older residential neighborhoods. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill helps mitigate highway noise in established residential areas.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill specifically allows noise barriers to host or accommodate renewable energy generation facilities. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill allows noise barriers to accommodate broadband infrastructure and conduit.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill permits noise barriers to serve as infrastructure for broadband and conduit.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill improves residential livability through noise mitigation in older residential areas.
- 5/7/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
James HimesDemocrat · Connecticut
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia