SB 2011
Johnson Bill Limits Amplified Sound In Counties Over 2.6 Million
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
All 3 charges, and why
Bracket bill
THE TEXT
…“applies only to a county with a population of more than 2.6 million”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The population bracket limits a general-looking Local Government Code subchapter to one or two of the largest counties. The caption does say 'certain counties,' so the narrowness is partly disclosed.
Bracket billCarve-out
New fee, fund, board or appointees
The bill authorizes a new county permit fee for amplified-sound events. The caption openly says it authorizes a fee, and the fee is limited to administrative cost.
New fee, fund, board or appointeesInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the adoption of noise regulations by certain counties; providing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Louder events need a paid permit. Electric and gas utilities are exempt from the rules.
The bill orders the commissioners court of any county with more than 2.6 million people to ban loudspeaker or amplifier sound above a reasonable level in unincorporated areas, and lets the county issue paid permits for louder events. It touches residents, businesses, churches and event hosts using amplified sound outside city limits in those very large counties, while exempting sound from electric and gas utility operations. Breaking the county's rules becomes a Class C misdemeanor offense, or a Class B on a repeat conviction, and the county can also sue for an injunction.
Labels
Labels: FEE INCLUDED. The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to the adoption of noise regulations by certain counties; providing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.”NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 6, 2025 and referred to the Senate Local Government committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2011 · 2025-03-06
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the adoption of noise regulations by certain counties; providing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.
WHAT IT DOES
Louder events need a paid permit. Electric and gas utilities are exempt from the rules.
The bill orders the commissioners court of any county with more than 2.6 million people to ban loudspeaker or amplifier sound above a reasonable level in unincorporated areas, and lets the county issue paid permits for louder events. It touches residents, businesses, churches and event hosts using amplified sound outside city limits in those very large counties, while exempting sound from electric and gas utility operations. Breaking the county's rules becomes a Class C misdemeanor offense, or a Class B on a repeat conviction, and the county can also sue for an injunction.
CHARGES
[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 60%
THE TEXT
…“applies only to a county with a population of more than 2.6 million”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The population bracket limits a general-looking Local Government Code subchapter to one or two of the largest counties. The caption does say 'certain counties,' so the narrowness is partly disclosed.
[x] CARVE-OUTanalysis confidence 40%
One industry, electric and gas utilities, gets a blanket exemption from the county's sound rules. Every other loudspeaker user must follow them.
[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 45%
The bill authorizes a new county permit fee for amplified-sound events. The caption openly says it authorizes a fee, and the fee is limited to administrative cost.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Local Government
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“shall prohibit the production of sound from a loudspeaker or sound amplifier in the unincorporated area of the county that exceeds a reasonable level as specified in the order”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill makes amplified sound, including amplified speech, in unincorporated areas subject to a county limit and a permit system, with an offense for violations.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texas Sands PAC$129,500.00
Texas Sands PAC
$129,500.00
- Cash
- $129,500.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $129,500.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to May 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100990378, 101033698, 101040111, 101052272.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Sands PAC
$129,500.00
- Cash
- $129,500.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $129,500.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to May 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100990378, 101033698, 101040111, 101052272.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 6, 2025
03/17/2025 S Referred to Local Government
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Local Government · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
County Government--General
Crimes--Miscellaneous
Environment--Noise
PERMITS
Text
The text as introduced · 530 words
89R14078 CS-D By: Johnson S.B. No. 2011 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the adoption of noise regulations by certain counties; providing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 240, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. REGULATION OF NOISE AND SOUND LEVELS Sec. 240.061. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter applies only to a county with a population of more than 2.6 million. Sec. 240.062. AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. The commissioners court of a county by order shall prohibit the production of sound from a loudspeaker or sound amplifier in the unincorporated area of the county that exceeds a reasonable level as specified in the order. Sec. 240.063. EXEMPTIONS. A sound is exempt from regulation under this subchapter if it is a sound produced by the operations or facilities of: (1) an electric utility as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code; or (2) a gas utility as defined by Section 101.003 or 121.001, Utilities Code. Sec. 240.064. PERMIT FOR CERTAIN EVENTS; PERMIT FEES. (a) A commissioners court by order may authorize the holding of events at which loudspeakers or sound amplifiers that produce sounds exceeding the levels specified in the order adopted under Section 240.062 will be used, if the person holding an event obtains a permit from the county for the event. (b) In determining whether to grant a permit under this section, a commissioners court shall consider whether the sound is recurrent, intermittent, or constant. (c) The regulations adopted under this subchapter may provide for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit by the county. (d) A district court has jurisdiction of a suit that arises from the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit by the county. (e) A county may impose fees on an applicant for a permit under this section. The fees must be based on the administrative costs of issuing the permit. A county that imposes a permit fee shall establish procedures to reduce the fee amount if the applicant is unable to pay the full permit fee. Sec. 240.065. METHOD OF SOUND MEASUREMENT. A commissioners court by rule shall adopt a procedure to measure noise and sound levels under this subchapter. Sec. 240.066. INJUNCTION. A county may sue in the district court for an injunction to prohibit the violation or threatened violation of a prohibition or other regulation adopted under this subchapter. Sec. 240.067. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates a prohibition or other regulation adopted under this subchapter. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the person has previously been convicted of an offense under this section, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.