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AR HB1607

Bill

Status

Failed

5/1/2023

Primary Sponsor

Stephen Meeks

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

94th General Assembly (2023 Regular)

AI Summary

  • Repeals the Shielded Outdoor Lighting Act (Arkansas Code Title 8, Chapter 14) and replaces it with the Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act (Chapter 16)

  • Requires state agencies, public corporations, counties, municipalities, and electric utilities to install only full cutoff fixtures with color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin or less for new or replacement lighting systems, with stricter 2,700 Kelvin requirement for residential security lighting

  • Requires lighting fixtures meet illuminance standards established by the Illuminating Engineering Society (as of January 1, 2023) or U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines to minimize glare, light pollution, and light trespass while reducing energy use

  • Exempts special lighting at sports facilities, historic sites, monuments, bridges, and correction/detention/mental health facilities; allows governing bodies to grant exemptions for safety concerns if excessive cost is documented

  • Permits public utilities to recover compliance costs through an interim surcharge up to 10% filed with the Arkansas Public Service Commission, effective immediately upon filing

Legislative Description

To Create The Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act; And To Repeal The Shielded Outdoor Lighting Act.

Last Action

Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment

5/1/2023

Committee Referrals

Public Health, Welfare and Labor3/13/2023

Full Bill Text

No bill text available