HB1421 Summary

• Establishes the Public Entity Streetlight System Investment Act to allow municipalities and counties to purchase streetlight fixtures from electric utilities after providing 60 days' notice and conducting a cost impact analysis.

• Permits public entities to install new energy-efficient fixtures that meet full cutoff standards, comply with Illuminating Engineering Society guidelines, and limit color temperature to 4,000 kelvin for highways and 3,000 kelvin for other applications.

• Requires electric utilities to file alternative tariff rates with the Arkansas Public Service Commission within 60 days of receiving notice, providing options for various lighting controls including schedule-based dimming or on-and-off controls during low activity periods.

• Specifies compensation to utilities as the lesser of original cost minus depreciation plus salvage value, or fair market value as agreed by both parties; allows public entities to assume rights to pole space under the same terms offered to others.

• Mandates that public entities managing fixtures directly require appropriate personnel training and certification, maintain outage reporting systems, and provide committed timely responses to outages; gives the Arkansas Public Service Commission authority to resolve disputes between parties.