| TO: | Honorable Glenn Lewis, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2017 by Kuempel (Relating to the authority of counties to enact noise regulations; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to allow a commissioners court to order the regulation of sound levels in the unincorporated areas of the county. A first or second violation of the noise regulations would be a Class C misdemeanor; subsequent violations by the same person would be a Class B misdemeanor. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2003.
The average cost for decibel meters is $500 per meter. Fines for a Class C misdmeanor may not exceed $500. Fines for a Class B misdemeanor may not exceed $2,000; in addition, confinement in county jail not to exceed 180 days may be imposed for a Class B offense.
As an example, El Paso County estimates if the county were to implement noise regulations and enforcement, the county sheriff's office would have to purchase one decibel meter per patrol district for each of the ten districts and four to six for the specialized patrol units, for an initial cost of $7,000, not including training in use of the equipment. El Paso County anticipates a replacement rate of two meters per year. The county estimates annual revenue of less than $1,000 as a result of enforcement.
| Source Agencies: | |
| LBB Staff: | JK, DLBa
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