HI HB2160

Establishes a dark night skies protection advisory committee within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a statewide strategy addressing light pollution and protecting dark night skies.

Committee membership includes directors of DBEDT, health, transportation, University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, comptroller, board of land and natural resources chairperson, county mayors, Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator, and University of Hawaii at Hilo representative, with additional invited members from federal agencies, military, astronomical society, and lighting engineers.

Directs the advisory committee to evaluate light pollution reduction, energy conservation, protection of threatened species affected by artificial light, impacts on astronomical observations from Mauna Kea and Haleakala, establishment of dark night sky parks, and public safety concerns.

Requires DBEDT to submit initial findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2017 regular session, with updated reports before each regular session in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Advisory committee dissolves on June 30, 2021; act becomes effective February 19, 2022.