MD HB452

Maryland Green Building Council must update or develop guidance for outdoor lighting fixtures by October 1, 2026, based on American Medical Association recommendations regarding light pollution and color temperature.

State funds cannot be used to install or replace permanent outdoor luminaires at State buildings, facilities, parks, or trails unless the lighting maximizes energy conservation, minimizes light pollution and glare, and uses the minimum illumination necessary.

Luminaires installed with State funds (except those by the Department of Transportation) must have a correlated color temperature of 3,000 Kelvins or less, and those exceeding 1,800 lumens must be restricted uplight luminaires.

Exemptions apply to correctional facilities, federally required lighting, storm operations, flag illumination, sign lighting, projects replacing less than 25% of luminaires, and sports facility field lighting.

Department of Transportation must review highway lighting practices by September 30, 2026, and consider aligning State practices with the Federal Highway Administration's Lighting Handbook; the Act takes effect October 1, 2025.