Notice of Development of Rulemaking

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES
Division of Florida Highway Patrol
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
15B-13.001: Operation of Soundmaking Devices in Motor Vehicles
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule action is to amend the current rule to reflect the 2005 revision to Florida Statute 316.3045, making it unlawful for any person operating or occupying a motor vehicle on a street or highway to operate or amplify the sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other mechanical soundmaking device or instrument from within the motor vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet or more from the motor vehicle instead of 100 feet as previously defined.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed rule action revises the current rule changing the definition of the term “plainly audible” reducing the unlawful range that a mechanical soundmaking device or instrument can be heard coming from within a motor vehicle from 100 feet to 25 feet.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 316.3045 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 316.3045 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Lt. James D. Wells, Jr., Bureau of Special Operations Command, Division of Florida Highway Patrol, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Room A315, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500, (850)617-2303.

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

15B-13.001 Operation of Soundmaking Devices in Motor Vehicles.

(1) No change.

(2) “Plainly Audible” shall mean any sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other mechanical or electronic soundmaking device, or instrument, from within the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle, including sound produced by a portable soundmaking device, that can be clearly heard outside the vehicle by a person using his normal hearing faculties, at a distance of 25100 feet or more from the motor vehicle.

(3) through (4) No change.

Specific Authority 316.3045 FS. Law Implemented 316.3045 FS. History–New 12-25-90, Amended________.