Chapter 551
AN ACT
HB 2628
Relating to lighting fixtures.
Whereas poorly designed
outdoor lighting fixtures illuminate the night sky, threatening amateur and
professional astronomy; and
Whereas diffused
lighting from poorly designed outdoor lighting fixtures interferes with the
ability of many people to see the beauty and wonder of the night sky; and
Whereas lighting from
poorly designed outdoor lighting fixtures causes nighttime glare that poses
significant safety risks to drivers and pedestrians; and
Whereas the use of
lighting fixtures with improved designs could increase safety, conserve energy
and preserve the beauty of the night sky; and
Whereas the
International Dark-Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America have formed a joint task force to develop a model lighting ordinance to
address the need for strong, consistent outdoor lighting regulation in the
United States; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of
the State of
SECTION 1. The Legislative Assembly finds that in order
to promote the use of energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures and to
mitigate the light pollution caused by certain types of outdoor lighting
fixtures, local building officials should assess local ordinances relating to
outdoor lighting, and the State Department of Energy should assess state statutes and state building code provisions relating
to outdoor lighting, for consistency and relevance in accomplishing the strong
regulation of outdoor lighting fixtures in this state.
SECTION 2. Upon a model lighting ordinance being made
available to the public by the International Dark-Sky Association and the
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, or their successors, the
State Department of Energy shall review the model ordinance provisions that are
relevant to outdoor lighting fixtures. The department shall publish a report
containing findings and recommendations of the department based upon the
review. The findings and recommendations may include, but need not be limited
to:
(1) The relevance of the
model ordinance for regulating outdoor lighting fixtures under the state
building code;
(2) The suitability of
the technical regulations on outdoor lighting fixtures specified in the
ordinance;
(3) The expected
effectiveness that adoption of the model ordinance would have in reducing light
pollution from outdoor lighting fixtures and promoting the energy efficiency of
outdoor lighting fixtures; and
(4) The desirability of
promoting both state and local adoption of the model ordinance provisions
regarding outdoor lighting.
SECTION 3. The State Department of Energy shall report
its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Seventy-fourth
Legislative Assembly in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 no later than
October 1, 2008. The department shall make the report available to the public
without charge.
SECTION 4. Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this 2007 Act are
repealed January 2, 2012.
Approved by the Governor June 22, 2007
Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 27, 2007
Effective date January 1, 2008
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