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Bill > A1656

NJ A1656

NJ A1656
Requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of State, or at projects receiving State funds, to meet certain criteria.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would require outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of, a State agency, or at projects receiving public moneys from a State agency, to meet certain criteria in order to reduce light pollution. The bill would require outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of, a State agency, or as part of a project that receives funds from a State agency, to comply with the following: (1) the luminaire is a fully shielded luminaire and a full cutoff fixture with a backlight, uplight, and glare (BUG) rating of U0, as those terms are defined by the bill; (2) the outdoor lighting fixture emits only as much light as necessary for the intended purpose and does not exceed the minimum illuminance level recommended for that purpose by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America or the Federal Highway Administration; (3) an outdoor lighting fixture used to illuminate sports fields are turned off when not in use; (4) full consideration has been given to energy conservation, reducing glare, minimizing light trespass and light pollution, and preserving the natural night environment and public health; (5) the correlated color temperature of the outdoor lighting fixture is no more than 2,700 Kelvin, with certain exceptions; and (6) the outdoor lighting fixture has a motion sensor device that turns on, dims, and turns off the light as appropriate. The bill would not apply if: the outdoor lighting fixture is used on a temporary basis because emergency personnel require additional illumination for emergency procedures; the outdoor lighting fixture is used on a temporary basis for nighttime work; a compelling safety interest exists that cannot be addressed by another method; or the outdoor lighting fixture is located in a high-security area. In addition, in the case of outdoor lighting fixtures installed along roadways, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to assess whether the purpose of the outdoor lighting fixture can be achieved by the installation of reflective road markers, lines, warning or informational signs, or other effective passive methods in lieu of the installation of outdoor lighting fixtures. The provisions of the bill would take effect on the first day of the third month after the bill is enacted.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that all outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by or for state agencies, or at projects receiving state funds, must meet specific criteria to reduce light pollution and conserve energy. These criteria include using fully shielded fixtures with a "full cutoff" design, meaning they direct light downwards and minimize upward or outward spill, and achieving a "BUG rating" (Backlight, Uplight, and Glare rating) of U0, indicating minimal light pollution. The fixtures must also emit only the necessary amount of light, as recommended by professional organizations like the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and sports field lights must be turned off when not in use. Additionally, the bill requires consideration for energy conservation, reducing glare and light trespass (light shining onto neighboring properties), preserving the natural night environment, and maintaining public health, with a general limit on the color temperature of the light to no more than 2,700 Kelvin, though exceptions exist for specific applications like sports fields or decorative lighting. Motion sensors are also required to automatically adjust lighting levels. However, these requirements do not apply in emergency situations, for temporary nighttime work, when a compelling safety interest cannot be met otherwise, or in high-security areas. For roadway lighting, the Department of Transportation must first assess if passive methods like reflective markers or signs can suffice. The bill takes effect three months after enactment.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 01/13/2026)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1656
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1656_I1.HTM
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