Report Title:

Airports; Harbors; Highways; Outdoor Lighting

 

Description:

Requires the department of transportation, to the extent practicable, to comply with county outdoor lighting ordinances at airports, harbors, and highways.

 

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1042

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     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 it is practical, to comply with county ordinances and standards relating to outside lighting for all new installations at airports, harbors, and highways.

     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.  To the extent that is practical and not in conflict with any safety regulation or federal law, regulation, or mandate, if any airport rules or standards relating to outdoor lighting on runways, ramp or apron areas, roadways, and parking lots are in conflict with county ordinances or other rules regarding the same areas, the more stringent requirement or standard shall govern all new installations."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§264-    Highway lighting.  To the extent that is practical and not in conflict with any safety regulation or federal law, regulation, or mandate, if any highway rules or standards relating to highway lighting are in conflict with any county ordinance or other rules regarding highway lighting, the more stringent requirement or standard shall govern all new installations."

 

     SECTION 4.  Chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________