Bill > S07663

This bill enacts the "Dark Skies Protection Act" to regulate outdoor night lighting in New York state. The key provisions include: - Requiring all outdoor lighting fixtures to be shielded by January 1, 2025 to project light downwards and reduce light pollution. - Allowing certain exemptions for things like navigational lighting, emergency lighting, and low-wattage fixtures. - Preempting local municipalities from adopting their own light pollution regulations if they are not as stringent as the state's new law. - Directing the Department of Environmental Conservation to develop educational materials and provide information to the public on complying with the new requirements. - Establishing civil penalties for violations, ranging from $100 to $1,000 depending on the type of property and number of offenses. The overall goal of the bill is to preserve and enhance the state's dark sky by regulating outdoor lighting, while also promoting safety, energy conservation, and aesthetic preservation.