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Bill

HB 948

City of Frederick, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County - Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems - Authorization and Extension

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kris Fair and 2 co-sponsors

HB 948 authorizes Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties to deploy noise monitoring systems for violation detection and enforcement.

First Reading Environment and Transportation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 948

Legislative bill overview

HB 948 authorizes the City of Frederick, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County to establish and operate noise abatement monitoring systems. The bill extends existing authority or creates new authority for these jurisdictions to deploy technology-based systems to measure and enforce noise violations in their areas.

Why is this important

Noise pollution affects public health, sleep quality, and property values in urban and suburban communities. This bill enables local jurisdictions to move beyond traditional complaint-based enforcement toward systematic monitoring of noise violations, potentially improving quality of life for residents while raising questions about surveillance infrastructure and enforcement equity.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and surveillance concerns: Widespread noise monitoring systems could collect audio data or require microphone networks that residents may view as invasive monitoring infrastructure
  • Enforcement equity: Automated systems may disproportionately cite lower-income neighborhoods or miss violations in wealthier areas, depending on placement and calibration
  • Due process and accuracy: Technical systems can generate false readings; questions remain about how citations issued by automated systems will be contested and what calibration standards apply

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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