Requires DOT, to the extent practicable, to comply with county outdoor lighting ordinances at airports, harbors, and highways and to provide fully shielded lens fixtures on all outdoor lighting fixtures.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Hawaii is home to two of the world's premier astronomy observatories, Haleakala on Maui and Mauna Kea on Hawaii. Mauna Kea is considered the finest observing site in the world. One of the most critical needs for preserving the value of these sites is to reduce bright sources of light that penetrate the dark night sky. Recent nighttime images from the international space station revealed that some of the brightest sources of light on Maui and Hawaii are the airports and harbors on both islands. Astronomers on Mauna Kea are now detecting artificial light sources from urban areas that are diminishing the telescopes' ability to do research.

The purpose of the Act is to require the department of transportation, to the extent that is practical:

SECTION 2. Chapter 262, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§262- Outdoor lighting. (a) To the extent that is practical and not in conflict with any safety regulation or federal law, regulation, or mandate, in the event that any airport regulations or standards relating to outdoor lighting on runways, ramp or apron areas, roadways, and parking lots are in conflict with county ordinances or other regulations regarding the same areas, the more stringent requirement or standard shall govern.

(b) Outdoor lighting in ramp or apron areas, parking lots, and roadways shall be equipped with fully shielded lens fixtures directing the lighting downward.

(c) Where airport operations cease at night, the department shall minimize outdoor lighting to the minimum level necessary for safety and security."

SECTION 3. Part I of Chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§266- Outdoor lighting. (a) To the extent that is practical and not in conflict with any safety regulation or federal law, regulation, or mandate, in the event that any harbor regulation or standard relating to outdoor lighting at any harbor facility conflicts with any county ordinance or other regulation regarding the same areas, the more stringent requirement or standard shall govern.

(b) Outdoor lighting at all harbor facilities shall be equipped with fully shielded lens fixtures directing the lighting downward.

(c) Where harbor operations cease at night, the department shall minimize outdoor lighting to the minimum level necessary for safety and security."

SECTION 4. Part III of Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§264- Highway lighting. (a) To the extent that is practical and not in conflict with any safety regulations or federal law, regulation, or mandate, in the event of any highway regulations or standards relating to highway lighting are in conflict with any county ordinance or other regulations regarding highway lighting, the more stringent requirement or standard shall govern.

(b) All overhead highway lighting shall be equipped with fully shielded lens fixtures directing the lighting downward."

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.