SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6081

                            AS OF JANUARY 29, 1992

Brief Description:  Prohibiting unreasonable sound amplification from vehicles.

SPONSORS: Senators L. Smith and Craswell

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786‑7322)

Hearing Dates: January 29, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Current state laws are ill-suited for regulating the level of sound produced by persons operating car stereos and other amplification systems.  "Disorderly conduct" laws require an intentional disruption of a meeting or assembly.  "Public nuisance" laws can be applied only where the person has an affirmative duty to avoid annoying other people.  "Disturbing the peace" laws are applied only to domestic relations settings.

SUMMARY:

A person who operates a sound amplification device that is plainly audible from 50 or more feet away when the vehicle is on a premises open to the public commits the offense of causing unreasonable sound amplification from a vehicle.  The first three offenses are considered a traffic infraction.  Any person committing more than three such infractions in any 12-month period is guilty of a misdemeanor.

There are exceptions for vehicles which are (1) authorized emergency vehicles; (2) operated by public service companies;  (3) used for advertising, in parades, for political speeches or other special events; (4) equipped with audio alarm systems; or (5) use two-way radios licensed by the FCC.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested