Neighborhood Noise Barriers Act of 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 4, 2017

Neighborhood Noise Barriers Act of 2017

This bill amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to allow the use of funds out of the Highway Trust Fund to construct a Type II noise barrier along a federal-aid highway if such barrier:

is part of a project approved by the Department of Transportation before November 28, 1995; or

separates a highway or other noise corridor from a group of structures of which the majority of those closest to the highway or noise corridor are residential in nature and which either were constructed before the construction or most recent widening of the highway or noise corridor or are at least 10 years old.

The bill makes the planning, design, or construction of a Type II noise barrier eligible for surface transportation block grant program funding.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5] · D–GA

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 5, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Jan 4, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jan 4, 2017
Introduced in House
Jan 4, 2017
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in House · Jan 4, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.268 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.268, 115th Congress: Neighborhood Noise Barriers Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/268

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr268/BILLS-115hr268ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.268 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Progressive lens

Examine H.R.268 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.268, 115th Congress: Neighborhood Noise Barriers Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/268

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr268/BILLS-115hr268ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.268 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine H.R.268 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.268, 115th Congress: Neighborhood Noise Barriers Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/268

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr268/BILLS-115hr268ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.268 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Examine H.R.268 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss H.R.268, 115th Congress: Neighborhood Noise Barriers Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/268

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr268/BILLS-115hr268ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.268 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.