Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4024 by Walle ( Relating to the authority of certain counties to regulate noise levels in residential areas; providing a criminal penalty.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to authorize counties with a population of over 3.3 million to regulate noise emanating from a residence in unincorporated areas of the county. It establishes violations of this regulation as a misdemeanor offense.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500; in addition to this fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gains from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.