HI HB427

Establishes the Dark Night Skies Protection Advisory Committee within the University of Hawaii to develop a statewide dark night skies protection strategy.

Committee membership consists of 13 officials including the University of Hawaii president (chair), comptroller, directors of business/economic development/tourism, health, and transportation, board of land and natural resources chairperson, four county mayors, Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator, University of Hawaii astronomy institute director, and a University of Hawaii at Hilo representative.

Committee shall evaluate light pollution reduction, energy conservation, protection of threatened and endangered species affected by artificial light, impacts on astronomical observations, educational uses, establishment of dark night sky parks, and public safety issues related to reduced artificial lighting.

University of Hawaii must report initial findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2018 regular session, with updated reports due before the 2019, 2020, and 2021 regular sessions.

Committee is dissolved on June 30, 2027.