House Bill No. 3310 introduces new regulations for noise control in certain Texas counties, specifically those with populations under 50,000 that are adjacent to larger counties. The bill establishes a new subchapter in the Local Government Code, allowing the commissioners court of these counties to prohibit sound from loudspeakers or sound amplifiers deemed a nuisance, with a minimum sound threshold of 70 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from the property line. The regulations would apply only in unincorporated areas and during specified hours on weekdays and weekends.
Additionally, the bill outlines exemptions for certain sounds, such as those produced by emergency vehicles and various utility operations, and allows counties to issue permits for events that exceed the sound limits, with the possibility of imposing fees based on administrative costs. The bill also provides for the measurement of sound levels, the ability for counties to seek injunctions against violations, and establishes a Class C misdemeanor for non-compliance with the regulations. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.
Statutes affected: Introduced: ()