Bill > SB34

This bill updates New Mexico's Night Sky Protection Act by modifying requirements and exemptions for outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution. The bill introduces new definitions such as "fully shielded" (meaning no more than 5% of light is emitted above a horizontal plane) and "lumen" (a measurement of light output), and establishes new rules for outdoor lighting fixtures. Starting July 1, 2025, outdoor lighting fixtures mounted more than four feet above ground must be fully shielded and installed according to manufacturer specifications, while ground-level fixtures emitting over 1,000 lumens cannot be directed toward the sky. The bill eliminates previous exemptions for automatically shut-off fixtures and certain advertisement signs, while adding new exemptions for roadway navigation and safety signs, temporary lighting for construction or emergency services, and film/television production. Outdoor recreational facilities are now prohibited from illumination after 11:00 p.m., with exceptions for ongoing tournaments or events. The legislation also provides grace periods for existing lighting fixtures, allowing replacements to be made by specific dates, and maintains a provision that allows counties or municipalities to adopt even stricter light pollution regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=34&year=25