Senator Portantino’s Bill to Curb Noise Pollution Passes Senate Floor
For Immediate Release: May 26, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino’s Bill to Curb Noise Pollution Passes Senate Floor
Sacramento, CA - Senate Bill 1079, a measure introduced by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) to monitor noise pollution by using sound activated devices, passed the Senate Floor today. Streets for All, a nonprofit organization that advocates for street safety, is a sponsor of the measure.
“Loud modified exhaust systems harm the health and wellbeing of those around them,” stated Senator Portantino. “Although there are regulations in place for vehicles that contribute to harmful noise pollution, there is no universal procedure to monitor and enforce these restrictions. It is a public health issue and SB 1079 offers an effective solution to reduce noise pollution and improve the quality of life in our communities.”
Noise pollution is an unwanted and disturbing sound that causes adverse reactions for neighbors and friends. Loud noises in the street can disrupt walking or cycling and may even lead to hearing loss. They also pose dangers to physical and cognitive health. Exposure to loud sounds has been shown to raise stress levels, including cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline increases. Chronically high levels of these hormones can impact heart disease, hypertension, stroke, immune responses, and cognitive functioning.
SB 1079 would authorize local jurisdictions to use sound-activated enforcement devices to capture vehicle noise levels that exceed legal limits. Under California Vehicle Code, exhaust noise is limited to 95 decibels (dbA) for vehicles and 80 dbA for motorcycles. However, vehicle owners can install new exhaust systems or make other vehicle modifications that change the level of sound produced by their vehicle. These illegal modifications are accessible and easily installed at any in-home garage, resulting in much louder noise disruptions than would be allowed by law.
"We are thrilled to see SB 1079 pass the Senate today,” stated Bubba Fish, Legislative Advocate for Street for All. “Noise pollution disproportionately impacts low income and minority communities and is proven to increase risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, low birth weight, and other physical, cognitive, and emotional issues. SB 1079 automatically enforces existing noise limits without any interactions with police and combats the rise in noise from illegally modified mufflers common in street racing. With a first violation warning, exemptions for low-income, buffer periods between violations, and allocating funds generated from tickets to communities, this bill improves the quality of life while protecting those most vulnerable and the privacy of all Californians.”
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