Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4314 by Walle (Relating to the adoption of noise regulations by certain counties; creating a criminal offense; authorizing fees.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to require the commissioners courts of certain counties to prohibit the production of certain loudspeaker or amplifier sounds. The bill would provide exemptions to this restriction for chemical manufacturing, electric or gas utilities and permitted events. The bill would also require a commissioners court of a county to adopt a procedure to measure noise and sound levels and entitles a county to sue in district court for an injunction. The offense created by this bill would be a Class C misdemeanor.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. In addition to the fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition. According to Harris County, costs associated with enforcement and prosecution of the bill would be absorbed within existing resources.
According to Harris County, the bill would provide the County with an undetermined yet minimal fiscal impact because it allows for an authorization fee for noise permits. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact and would be set to cover costs allowed for in the bill.
According to OCA, no significant impact to local courts is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council