summary
Introduced
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
In Committee
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Dark Sky Act. Provides that, beginning December 1, 2026, except for any lighting that a State agency has installed or is using on the effective date of the amendatory Act, all new or renovated luminaires that are purchased or rented with State funds for the purpose of outdoor illumination and any lighting that is installed on land or easements owned, leased, or managed by the State for the purpose of outdoor illumination, including, but not limited to, on roadways, facilities, properties, nonhabitable structures, monuments, and public right-of-way spaces shall comply with specified responsible outdoor lighting requirements. Makes exceptions to the requirements. Provides that a State agency may send a request to the Department of Central Management Services to seek an exemption when planning to install, purchase, or rent lighting under one or more of the listed exceptions to the requirements in the Act. Requires the Department of Central Management Services, within 30 days of receipt, to (i) grant the exemption by memorandum, (ii) deny the exemption by memorandum, or (iii) grant the exemption by failing to issue a memorandum. Makes conforming changes to provisions that apply to the Department of Natural Resources. Changes a definition. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Dark Sky Act," amends existing law to establish new regulations for outdoor lighting purchased or installed with state funds, aiming to reduce light pollution. Beginning December 1, 2026, all new or renovated outdoor lighting fixtures purchased or rented with state funds, and any lighting installed on state-owned or managed land, must comply with specific "responsible outdoor lighting requirements." These requirements include minimizing light output, preventing light trespass onto sensitive areas, limiting the color temperature of light sources, and ensuring sports lighting confines light to the playing area. The bill also introduces exceptions to these rules for situations involving federal law, safety and security needs, temporary emergencies, historical lighting, and special events, with a process for state agencies to request exemptions from the Department of Central Management Services. The Act also updates definitions related to lighting standards, such as "ANSI/IES standards" (guidelines from the American National Standards Institute and Illuminating Engineering Society) and "IES BUG rating" (a system to classify how much light a fixture emits in different directions).
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments (on 03/06/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...