Bill to Limit Noise Suits About to Go to Governor

A bill to limit the number of lawsuits over jet noise at publicly owned airports passed the Senate on Tuesday, and is expected to land soon on Gov. George Deukmejian’s desk.

But it appears that Deukmejian, who vetoed similar measures in 1983 and 1984, may veto the bill a third time.

Assemblyman Richard Robinson (D-Garden Grove), the bill’s author, said he has made “major improvements” since the governor last rejected a bill to limit airport noise suits.

Robinson acknowledged, however, that he has received no assurances that Deukmejian will sign his bill this time. The measure passed the Senate by a 22-6 vote and will go back to the Assembly for concurrence on amendments.

Failed to Get Signature

“On the previous bill, we had very good negotiations with the governor’s office, but it did not result in his signature,” he said. “This time, I have requested a meeting, but it has not been granted.”

Airports in Burbank, Orange County, San Francisco and San Diego frequently have been sued by neighbors over jet noise.

Robinson said that, before the legislative session ends this week, he will try to make his bill acceptable to Deukmejian. But “absent any signal . . . I’ll send it to him on Friday night,” Robinson said.

In 1983, Deukmejian said he was aware of the problems lawsuits cause for local governments. But he vetoed Robinson’s bill, saying “such problems can be reduced without drastically limiting the public’s access to the courts.”

Reason for Second Veto

In 1984, Deukmejian said Robinson’s bill was inappropriate because residents near Burbank Airport had a case pending before the state Supreme Court.

Robinson’s bill would overturn the October, 1985, Supreme Court ruling in that case. The court ruled that noise from airport operations is “the quintessential continuing nuisance”--in effect strengthening the right of neighboring residents to sue airports repeatedly.

Robinson’s bill would declare airport noise a “permanent nuisance” and, after December, 1987, permit airport-area residents to sue over noise only once unless the level substantially increased.