Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act (HB1771)

• Renames the "Shielded Outdoor Lighting Act" to the "Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act" and expands its purpose to include promoting safety, conserving energy, saving tax dollars, and preserving the natural nighttime environment for astronomy and wildlife health.

• Requires state agencies, public corporations, counties, and municipalities to use fully shielded outdoor fixtures with initial rated lumens greater than 1,800 lm when installing new or replacement permanent outdoor lighting, with exceptions for excessive cost, maintenance issues, and certain facilities.

• Prohibits installation of new mercury vapor lamps by public entities and requires electric utilities to offer shielded lighting service options; establishes requirements for residential and commercial security lighting by electric utilities to minimize light pollution and glare.

• Regulates illuminated roadway signage and electronic message centers to prevent glare and light trespass, including requirements for automatic dimming sensors, message display duration of at least four seconds, and measurement standards not exceeding three lux above ambient light.

• Establishes exemptions for federal preemptions, temporary emergency lighting (up to 30 days), navigational systems, worker safety lighting, and existing fixtures installed before the effective date; creates waiver process through the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission with citizen appeal rights.

• Effective October 1, 2017.