STAND. COM. REP. NO.  980-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   S.B. No. 2402

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 2402, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to preserve the quality of the night sky and its associated cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural, and landscape-related values and provide an environmentally friendly strategy for the lighting of Hawaii.  Specifically, this measure requires the establishment of a starlight reserve strategy by, among other things:

     (1)  Requiring that all state agencies comply with shielded lighting fixture requirements beginning July 1, 2013;

     (2)  Prohibiting the sale or installation of new mercury vapor lamps after July 1, 2013;

     (3)  Establishing parameters for retrofit work on, or replacement of, existing lighting fixtures to meet the shielding requirements;

     (4)  Stipulating conditions and parameters for lights in areas where fully shielded light fixtures are not used;

     (5)  Establishing conditions under which installation of fully shielded replacement lighting fixtures shall take place and allowing for partially shielded lights to be used provided the lights do not emit more than five percent of their light above the horizontal plane; and

     (6)  Providing numerous exceptions to the shielded lighting requirements.

The Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Accounting and General Services, University of Hawaii, and Chair of the Starlight Reserve Committee testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Hawaii's dark night sky is a valuable natural and cultural resource for the State, has tremendous scientific value for astronomy, and is of vital importance for endangered species including birds and turtles.  Unfortunately, unnecessary light pollution is threatening the dark night sky over the entire State with much of this light pollution being caused by improperly shielded lights.  The use of fully shielded outdoor lighting fixtures in Hawaii will conserve energy and resources while maintaining appropriate outdoor lighting suitable for safety, utility, and security.  These types of fixtures are also environmentally friendly and reduce the impact of non-shielded lighting on endangered species.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2402, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Economic Revitalization & Business.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair