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ENGR. H. C. R. NO. 1026 Page 1
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ENGROSSED HOUSE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 1026 By: Hefner and Archer of the
House
and
Nice of the Senate
A Concurrent Resolution recognizing light pollution's
impact on bird mortality, particularly during
migration; encouraging Oklahoma businesses, state
agencies, universities and schools, sports complexes,
organizations, and residents to turn off any exterior
lighting and shield interior lighting from shining
outside during the high migration intensity months of
April, May, September, and October.
WHEREAS, the State of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Animal Coalition
aim to provide birds safe passage during migration periods by
reducing light pollution, as well as building and glass collisions,
through the Lights Out Oklahoma campaign, and
WHEREAS, birds help with the control of pests, carrion
regulation, pollination, and seed dispersal while adding beauty and
connecting people to nature and the outdoors; and
WHEREAS, birdwatching is an economic driver in the State of
Oklahoma and is a fun, relaxing, multigenerational, educational and
wellness activity for all; and
ENGR. H. C. R. NO. 1026 Page 2
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WHEREAS, a wide diversity of birds in Oklahoma indicates a
healthy environment; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma is part of the central flyway through which
approximately 400 different species of birds migrate during the
spring and fall; and
WHEREAS, during peak migration hundreds of millions of birds
will come to pass through our state, including many long-distance
migrants like Mississippi kites and common nighthawks and endangered
species like whooping crane; and
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher,
is one of the many species of birds that migrate to our state to
nest and rear their young; and
WHEREAS, most birds migrate at night, navigate by using the
stars and moon, and can become disoriented by bright artificial
light and sky glow, resulting in birds losing their way, exhaustion,
and deadly collisions with buildings, glass, power lines, and
vehicles; and
WHEREAS, collisions with buildings is one of the top causes of
mortality of birds in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Lights Out Oklahoma program strategy is aimed to
persuade building owners, organization administrators, managers, and
homeowners to turn off exterior lighting on all buildings and
prevent interior lighting from shining out into the night during the
ENGR. H. C. R. NO. 1026 Page 3
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high migration intensity months of April, May, September, and
October; and
WHEREAS, these measures save energy and money and protect birds
migrating to nesting grounds in the spring and wintering grounds in
the fall; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma joins the international community and states
including Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Florida in sponsoring Lights
Out projects to protect birds during migration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature supports reducing bird
mortality in the areas and encourages Oklahoma businesses, state
agencies, universities and schools, sports complexes, organizations,
and residents to turn off any exterior lighting and shield interior
lighting during the high migration intensity months of April, May,
September, and October.
ENGR. H. C. R. NO. 1026 Page 4
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Adopted by the House of Representatives the 27th day of April,
2026.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Adopted by the Senate the ___ day of _________, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the Senate