HB1309 Summary

• Renames and expands the "Shielded Outdoor Lighting Act" to the "Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act" to address light pollution, energy waste, and impacts on human and animal health.

• Requires state agencies, public corporations, counties, and municipalities to use fully shielded outdoor fixtures (when initial lumens exceed 1,800) with color temperature of 4,000 kelvin or less for new or replacement permanent outdoor lighting using public funds.

• Mandates electric utilities use fully or partially shielded fixtures for new or replacement residential and commercial area lighting and establishes rate schedule requirements to reflect long-term costs of energy-efficient fixtures.

• Establishes specific regulations for illuminated roadway signage and electronic message centers, including maximum brightness limits (3 luxes over ambient light), automatic dimming sensors, and 5-year compliance deadline for existing billboards within one-half mile of highways.

• Effective October 1, 2019, with violations subject to warnings for first offenses and fines of $25 per offense or fixture per month for continuing violations; includes exemptions for emergencies, temporary work, airports, sports facilities, and historic structures.