S.B. 320

VETOES

Senate Bill No. 320

AN ACT concerning

Department of the Environment - Noise Control and Pollution

FOR the purpose of encouraging a political subdivision to consider compliance with
certain standards before acting on a proposed variance request or change in
zoning classification; encouraging a political subdivision to consider compliance
with certain standards before acting on a proposed variance request or change to
consider if the permit or activity will be in compliance with certain standards;
altering the membership of the Environmental Noise Advisory Council;
repealing an obsolete provision; requiring the Department of the Environment
to conduct certain hearings and prepare or solicit certain input before proposing
any changes in a certain statute or regulation; authorizing the Council to
provide certain advice to the Department; altering the membership of the
Interagency Noise Control Committee; repealing certain sound level limits and
noise control requirements; specifying the terms of the initial members of the
Council; and generally relating to noise control and pollution.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article — Environment

Section 3-105, 3-202, 3-205, 3-302, and 3-401(c) and 3-302
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1996 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Environment
Section 3-201 and 3-301
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1996 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Environment

3-105.

(a) (1) Except as provided in this section, this title does not limit the power
of a political subdivision to adopt noise control ordinances, rules, or regulations.

(2)     A political subdivision may not adopt any noise control ordinance,
rule, or regulation that is less stringent than the environmental noise standards,
sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title.

(3)     (i) A political subdivision may not adopt any noise control
ordinance, rule, or regulation, including the environmental noise standards, sound
level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title, that

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