BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 899

By: Walle

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Noise levels in residential areas of Texas cause a threat to public health, safety, and welfare. Many counties across the state do not have the authority to regulate noise in their unincorporated areas. H.B. 899 seeks to address an ongoing constituent and local district concern by authorizing the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 3.3 million by order to regulate the level of noise emanating from a residence located in a residential area in the unincorporated area of the county and by creating an offense for violating such an order.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly does one or more of the following: creates a criminal offense, increases the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or changes the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 899 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 3.3 million, for purposes of promoting public health, safety, and welfare, by order to regulate the level of noise emanating from a residence located in a residential area in the unincorporated area of the county. The bill creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who violates such an order.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.