SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 40 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 9, 2006 Requesting the Department of Housing and Community Development to study whether the current sound transmission coefficient ratings for sound attenuation are sufficient to protect the public. Report. ---------- Patron-- Blevins ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) establishes standards in construction that serve to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the standards established by the USBC are used to guide the initial construction of buildings and structures through providing minimum standards for construction procedures and building materials; and

WHEREAS, construction methods and materials are available to decrease the level of impact that noise, particularly in communities that are located in areas where high levels of noise are generated; and

WHEREAS, currently the USBC contains sound transmission coefficient (STC) ratings for sound attenuation; and

WHEREAS, the STC ratings assist in protecting citizens from the harmful affect of noise; and 

WHEREAS, there is a need to review whether the USBC may be strengthened to increase public protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Housing and Community Development be requested to study whether the USBC may be strengthened to increase public protection by (i) modifying the sound transmission coefficient ratings for sound attenuation to higher levels, (ii) developing a tiered application of the new ratings according to noise contours, and (iii) the application of advanced methods of sound attenuation through new construction  and building materials.  All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Housing and Community Development for this study, upon request.

The Department of Housing and Community Development shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2006, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2007 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.