Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4582 by Walle (Relating to the authority of certain counties to regulate noise levels in residential areas; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to authorize the commissioners court in certain counties to regulate the level of noise from a residence located in a residential area in unincorporated area of the county. The offense created by this bill would be a Class C misdemeanor.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant fiscal 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. Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
According to OCA, This provision would only apply in Harris County. The agency anticipates that additional cases arising from this legislation would be absorbed with existing resources and that the amount of court costs or fines associated with these cases will not be significant. Therefore, no significant fiscal impact to local courts is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council