Bill > SB2987

This bill, effective July 1, 2050, establishes statewide requirements for outdoor light fixtures to combat light pollution, recognizing the importance of dark night skies for cultural practices, wildlife, and scientific research. Beginning July 1, 2027, all new outdoor light fixtures must meet specific standards for backlighting, uplighting, and glare, either by being on the DLC-LUNA (DesignLights Consortium Light Usage for Night Applications Qualified Products List) or by meeting criteria such as a maximum color temperature of 3000 Kelvin, dimming capabilities, and shielding to prevent light trespass onto streets or neighboring properties. The bill also mandates that outdoor lights be extinguished or dimmed by at least 75% during curfew hours (10:00 p.m. to sunrise for residential users, and similar for commercial users with exceptions for operating hours), with specific exemptions for items like holiday decorations, searchlights used for advertising, and emergency lighting. Special provisions are made for outdoor light fixtures affecting turtle nesting habitats, requiring specific types of lighting or shielding to minimize harm, and setting maximum light output limits for pole-mounted, wall-mounted, and bollard fixtures, particularly those facing the shoreline. Existing fixtures legally installed before June 30, 2026, are exempt, but replacements must comply with the new rules. The bill clarifies that these requirements are supplemental to county ordinances, provided the county rules are not less restrictive, and does not apply to counties with populations under 100,000.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2987&year=2026