HLS 12RS-3370 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE STUDY REQUEST NO. 8
BY REPRESENTATIVE KATRINA JACKSON
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Requests the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and
Cultural Affairs to study the feasibility and effectiveness of parishes and
municipalities enacting ordinances to create quiet zones
A STUDY REQUEST1
To the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs to study the2
feasibility and effectiveness of parishes and municipalities enacting ordinances to3
create quiet zones and to report its findings and recommendations to the House of4
Representatives prior to the convening of the 2013 Regular Session of the5
Legislature of Louisiana.6
WHEREAS, many rural areas of Louisiana are becoming increasingly urbanized7
resulting in a higher density of population with people living in closer proximity to each8
other; and9
WHEREAS, the number of motor vehicles and other devices emitting a high volume10
of noise has increased to the extent that unreasonably loud noise has become a nuisance to11
many citizens of this state; and12
WHEREAS, unreasonably loud noise disturbs the tranquility of a community and13
poses a serious threat to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; and14
WHEREAS, the citizens of this state have a right to, and should be ensured of, an15
environment free from unreasonably loud noise; and16
WHEREAS, although the governing authorities of many parishes and municipalities17
have enacted ordinances to minimize and control the emission of unreasonably loud noises,18
some argue that there is a need for more specific regulation relative to areas surrounding19
schools, child care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and places of worship; and20 HLS 12RS-3370 ORIGINAL
HSR NO. 8
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WHEREAS, some believe that parishes and municipalities should enact ordinances1
to create quiet zones which encompass an area within at least one thousand feet of any2
school, child care center, hospital, nursing home, or place of worship; and3
WHEREAS, within a quiet zone, it should be unlawful to make any noise of such4
character, intensity, and duration that a reasonable person could not tolerate it under the5
circumstances and that is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of a person or any6
noise from a sound amplification system which is audible at a distance of greater than7
twenty-five feet and which exceeds eighty-five decibels; and8
WHEREAS, the governing authority should publish a map clearly identifying the9
boundaries of a quiet zone and should post appropriate signs in the area indicating that it is10
a "QUIET ZONE"; and11
WHEREAS, the governing authority should also examine the need to impose severe12
penalties for the violation of quiet zone ordinances.13
THEREFORE, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana requests14
the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs to study the feasibility15
and effectiveness of parishes and municipalities enacting ordinances to create quiet zones16
and to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives prior to the17
convening of the 2013 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.18
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Katrina Jackson HSR No. 8
Requests the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs to study the
feasibility and effectiveness of parishes and municipalities enacting ordinances to create
quiet zones and to report it findings prior to the 2013 R.S.