SB 2739
Cook Noise Bill’s 58-Decibel Rule May Reach Well Beyond Homes
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
Dragnet
THE CAPTION
“Relating to unreasonable noise near a private residence.”
Caption, introduced version (I)
THE TEXT
…“exceeds a decibel level of 58 or causes vibrations at a private”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption targets noise near a home. But the word "or" lets the 58-decibel test stand alone, without the 30-foot home limit or the prior police notice that the 85-decibel rule requires. Read that way, the presumption reaches noise well beyond homes.
DragnetInitial 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 unreasonable noise near a private residence.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
One “or” lets 58 decibels stand alone. No 30-foot limit, no police warning first!
The bill adds a new rule to the Texas disorderly conduct law. Noise louder than 58 decibels, or noise that causes vibrations at a home within 30 feet of where it is made, is presumed to be unreasonable, and the wording leaves unclear whether the 30-foot home limit also covers the 58-decibel test. That makes it easier to charge people with the existing noise offense, with no warning from police needed first, starting September 1, 2025.
Corrected Oct 26, 2026 · We checked this summary against the bill text and fixed it.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the Senate Criminal Justice committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2739 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
ITEM
Relating to unreasonable noise near a private residence.
WHAT IT DOES
One “or” lets 58 decibels stand alone. No 30-foot limit, no police warning first!
The bill adds a new rule to the Texas disorderly conduct law. Noise louder than 58 decibels, or noise that causes vibrations at a home within 30 feet of where it is made, is presumed to be unreasonable, and the wording leaves unclear whether the 30-foot home limit also covers the 58-decibel test. That makes it easier to charge people with the existing noise offense, with no warning from police needed first, starting September 1, 2025.
Corrected Oct 26, 2026 · We checked this summary against the bill text and fixed it.
CHARGES
[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 45%
THE CAPTION
“Relating to unreasonable noise near a private residence.”
Caption, introduced version (I)
THE TEXT
…“exceeds a decibel level of 58 or causes vibrations at a private”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption targets noise near a home. But the word "or" lets the 58-decibel test stand alone, without the 30-foot home limit or the prior police notice that the 85-decibel rule requires. Read that way, the presumption reaches noise well beyond homes.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Criminal Justice
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
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 · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 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 Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$15,000.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $15,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jun 5, 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: 100987960, 101029944, 101057026.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$15,000.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $15,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jun 5, 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: 100987960, 101029944, 101057026.
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 13, 2025
04/03/2025 S Referred to Criminal Justice
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 11:01 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Criminal Justice · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Environment--Noise
Property Interests--Homestead
Property Interests--Real Property
Text
The text as introduced · 182 words
By: Cook S.B. No. 2739 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to unreasonable noise near a private residence. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 42.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) For purposes of this section: (1) an act is deemed to occur in a public place or near a private residence if it produces its offensive or proscribed consequences in the public place or near a private residence; and (2) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person making the noise receives notice from a magistrate or peace officer that the noise is a public nuisance . ; and (3) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 58 or causes vibrations at a private residence that is within 30 feet when measured in a direct line of the property line at which the noise is produced. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.