An Act providing for management of responsible outdoor night lighting; and imposing duties on the Department of General Services.

PRINTER'S NO. 1050
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 969
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PIELLI, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, VENKAT,
RIVERA, GIRAL, FREEMAN, KHAN, DIAMOND, KENYATTA, D. WILLIAMS
AND HOWARD, MARCH 19, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION, MARCH 19, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for management of responsible outdoor night lighting;
and imposing duties on the Department of General Services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Responsible
Outdoor Lighting Control Act.
Section 2. Intent.
Government structures, facilities, places and spaces should
serve as models of best practices for private structures,
facilities, places and spaces. This Commonwealth should
encourage residents, business owners and others to join in
transitioning to responsible lighting principles.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
"BUG rating." A luminaire classification system, developed
by the United States Illuminating Engineering Society (IES),
that ranks and defines how many lumens of light a lighting unit
emits backwards, upwards and in glare.
"Construction." The process of building, altering, improving
or demolishing any public structure or building, or other public
improvements of any kind, to any public real property. The term
does not include the routine operation or maintenance of
existing structures, buildings or real property.
"Correlated color temperature" or "CCT." A color of the
light perceived by the eye that replicates the Kelvin
temperature spectrum of a metal object when heated, with
"warmer" colors toward the red end of the spectrum and "cooler"
colors toward the blue end of the spectrum.
"Environmentally sensitive area." A State game land, State
forest, State park or State natural heritage area. The term
includes an area that is an exemplary ecological community that
would be easily disturbed or degraded by human activity and
development, as determined by the relevant State agency, State-
aided entity or State-related institution, in consultation with
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
"Fully shielded." A lighting unit that is constructed in
such a manner that all light emitted, either directly from the
lamp or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of
the lighting unit, is projected below the horizontal plane, in
accordance with the following:
(1) The downward-pointing beam of light should
preferably be cast within an angle of 60 degrees or less from
the vertical.
(2) No part of the lamp should protrude outside of the
20250HB0969PN1050 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
lighting unit or shield.
"Glare." Light emitted by a lighting unit that causes
reduced visibility of objects or momentary blindness.
"Lamp." The component of a lighting unit that produces
light.
"Light pollution." The scattering of artificial light into
the nighttime sky, caused by excessive or improperly positioned
artificial outdoor lighting, resulting in sky glow, light
trespass and glare.
"Light trespass." Light emitted by a lighting unit that
shines beyond the boundaries of the property on which the
lighting unit is located.
"Lighting unit." A complete artificial illuminating device,
installed or portable, including a lamp, together with the parts
designed to distribute the light, such as a reflector or
refractor, parts to position and protect the lamps and parts to
connect the lamps to the power supply.
"Lumen." A specific standard unit of measurement of luminous
flux.
"Outdoor lighting unit." Outdoor artificial illuminating
devices, installed or portable, used for flood lighting, roadway
lighting and area lighting, general illumination or
advertisement.
"Partially shielded lighting unit." A lighting unit that
projects or directs its light parallel to or above the
horizontal plane. The light from a lighting unit may be emitted
either directly from the lamp or indirectly by reflection or
refraction from any part of the lighting unit producing
significant light pollution.
"Permanent outdoor lighting unit." An outdoor lighting unit
20250HB0969PN1050 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
or system of lighting units that is outdoors and that is used
for seven days or longer.
"Reflective roadway marking." Lines and markers with
reflective properties to aid with vehicular and pedestrian
safety.
"Reflective signage." Roadway and informational signage that
has reflective properties to aid with vehicular and pedestrian
safety.
"Responsible lighting principles." The use of advanced
lighting technologies, including shielding, an upper limit on
CCT, on-off controls, dimming controls, motion sensors, phosphor
applications and RGB or red, green and blue diodes. All
applicable lighting shall utilize the best lighting technologies
practically available at the time at which a lamp or other light
fixture is installed or replaced.
"Roadway lighting." Permanent outdoor lighting units that
are specifically intended to illuminate roadways for vehicular
traffic.
"Sky glow." Brightening of the night sky over inefficiently
and improperly lit areas.
"State agency." Any of the following, as the terms are
defined under 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions):
(1) An executive agency.
(2) An independent agency.
(3) A State-affiliated entity.
"State-aided entity." A political subdivision or other
governmental unit that receives State funds directly or
indirectly for construction.
"State-related institution." The Pennsylvania State
University, the University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln University or
20250HB0969PN1050 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Temple University.
"Wallpack light." Lighting units that are fixed to a
building's exterior, usually on a wall that faces outward from a
building.
Section 4. Outdoor lighting control.
(a) Restrictions on outdoor lighting units.--A State agency,
State-related institution or State-aided entity may not install
or replace permanent outdoor lighting units or lamps unless the
following conditions are met:
(1) The permanent outdoor lighting unit is fully
shielded and emits:
(i) Backward light not above an angle of 60 degrees
or less from the downward vertical direction.
(ii) Zero lumens upward and corresponding to the IES
rating of U0 on the BUG rating system.
(iii) Forward or sideways light not above an angle
of 60 degrees from the downward vertical direction to
eliminate glare.
(2) Outdoor lighting units are established in ways to
avoid light trespass. In environmentally sensitive areas,
light trespass must be completely eliminated. In all other
areas, light trespass at the property boundary may not exceed
0.5 lux. This paragraph shall not apply to existing light
fixtures in place as of the effective date of this paragraph.
(3) Any wallpack lights must be fully shielded to an
angle of no more than 60 degrees from the downward vertical
direction to eliminate glare and light trespass.
(4) The lighting units shall have a correlated color
temperature less than or equal to 3,000K. In residential
areas, CCT may not exceed 2,700K. In dark sky locations or
20250HB0969PN1050 - 5 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
environmentally sensitive areas, CCT may not exceed 2,200K. A
lighting unit may not have a CCT that exceeds 3,000K, except
as provided in subsection (d).
(5) The use of outdoor lighting must be minimized to
only that which is needed for comfort and safety, as
determined by the State agency, State-related institution or
State-aided entity having jurisdiction over the property,
while complying with responsible lighting principles. The
agency having jurisdiction of the property shall consider the
following for buildings, to the extent consistent with
comfort and safety needs:
(i) Placing lights only at entrances and exits.
(ii) Utilizing low intensity facade lighting that
ensures that the light projects downward and that no
lighting spills beyond the facade being lit.
(iii) Turning off or dimming lighting units between
11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
(6) Lighting units in locations that are not in use
after 11 p.m., including in environmentally sensitive areas,
must use timers set to turn off after 11 p.m. or be equipped
with motion sensors or manual switches.
(7) Light trespass from the interior of a building or
structure must be minimized by lowering window shades after
sunset or by turning off lighting when not in use.
(8) At the time of installation or replacement of
lighting units for roadways, the State agency, State-related
institution or State-aided entity with jurisdiction over the
roadway shall determine whether reflective roadway markings
or reflective signage are appropriate and safe for the
situation in lieu of outdoor lighting. Reflective roadway
20250HB0969PN1050 - 6 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
markings and reflective signage shall be used unless it is
determined by the agency having jurisdiction over the roadway
that adequate lighting cannot be achieved by reflective
means.
(9) For lighting fixtures located within the State
Capitol Complex determined by the Capitol Preservation
Committee to be historic in nature, light bulbs shall be
transitioned to bulbs with a CCT exceeding 1,800K. This
paragraph shall not apply to the Capitol Dome.
(b) Replacement of current lighting units.--
(1) A lighting unit with lamps greater than 3,000K that
was installed prior to the effective date of this paragraph
and that produce light pollution is not required to be
replaced until the end of the life of the lamp but shall
comply with subsection (c).
(2) At the end of the life of an existing lamp,
partially shielded lighting units shall be fitted with a new
lamp with a CCT that does not exceed 3,000K and shall be
remediated, either by repositioning or by full shielding, so
that the light casts to an angle of not more than 60 degrees
from the downward vertical direction.
(3) If a State agency, State-related institution or
State-aided entity currently operates unshielded or partially
shielded lighting units, the following shall apply:
(i) All unshielded or partially shielded lighting
units shall be:
(A) immediately remediated upon the end of the
life of the lamp with a new lamp with a CCT that does
not exceed 3,000K; and
(B) remediated either by repositioning the
20250HB0969PN1050 - 7 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
lighting unit or by fully shielding the lamp so that
the light casts to an angle of no more than 60
degrees from the downward vertical direction.
(ii) If a State agency, State-related institution or
State-aided entity chooses to replace current, unshielded
or partially shielded lighting units before the end of
the life of the lamp, the State agency, State-related
institution or State-aided entity may not purchase new,
unshielded or partially shielded lighting units as
replacements. If the State agency, State-related
institution or State-aided entity purchases new,
unshielded or partially shielded lighting units as
replacements, the State agency, State-related institution
or State-aided entity may not receive State assistance
with the cost of the new lighting units.
(c) Repositioning of current lighting units.--Wherever
possible, existing partially shielded and unshielded lighting
units shall be repositioned so as to minimize glare, light
trespass and upward-directed light.
(d) Exceptions.--The following instances shall be exempt
from the requirements of subsection (a):
(1) If Federal laws, rules or regulations preempt State
regulations.
(2) If fire, police, rescue or repair personnel need
light for temporary emergencies or road repair work.
(3) If it has been determined that a reasonable safety
and security interest exists, including lighting required for
the proper functioning of a security camera, at correctional
facilities, school facilities, including at a State-related
institution or other public college or university, and
20250HB0969PN1050 - 8 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
hospital facilities that cannot be addressed by another
method without increasing the cost or reducing the
effectiveness of the lighting.
(4) The lighting units on active sports or show grounds
may use lamps greater than 3,000K, but only for the duration
of a specific practice, match or event. Lighting units shall
be positioned, angled or shielded so as to prevent direct
glare and light trespass onto neighboring property. The
shielding must fully eliminate directly upward light
emission.
Section 5. Resources.
The Department of General Services shall make available the
following resources to encourage the utilization of responsible
lighting principles, prepared in collaboration with the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:
(1) A model municipal ordinance or resolution for a
political subdivision or other governmental unit.
(2) A resource guide for the public encouraging the
utilization of responsible lighting principles in homes and
businesses.
Section 6. Other laws.
This act shall not supersede any other Federal or State law
controlling lighting, outdoor lighting units or signage, outdoor
advertising, displays or devices.
Section 7. Applicability.
The requirements of this act shall apply to the following:
(1) Lighting on or in all newly constructed, renovated
or retrofitted State property, whether that property is owned
or leased by the Commonwealth, including rights-of-way,
roadways and sidewalks, spaces, facilities, properties,
20250HB0969PN1050 - 9 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
nonhabitable structures, monuments and flagpoles.
(2) A State agency.
(3) A construction project undertaken by a State-related
institution or State-aided entity, if the construction
project is directly funded by the Commonwealth or a State
agency.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB0969PN1050 - 10 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8