By Rodriguez H.B. No. 763 74R2947 MI-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the regulation by municipalities of outdoor lighting. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 7, Local Government Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Chapter 219 to read as follows: 1-6 CHAPTER 219. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING 1-7 Sec. 219.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: 1-8 (1) "Light pollution" means the general night sky glow 1-9 caused by large numbers of poorly designed light sources. 1-10 (2) "Outdoor lighting fixture" means a fixed or 1-11 portable outdoor artificial illuminating device that is used for 1-12 floodlighting, general illumination, or advertising. The term 1-13 includes searchlights, spotlights, floodlights, or area lights for: 1-14 (A) a building or other structure; 1-15 (B) a recreational facility; 1-16 (C) a parking facility; 1-17 (D) landscape lighting; 1-18 (E) an outdoor advertising display, billboard, 1-19 or sign; 1-20 (F) public or private streetlighting; or 1-21 (G) walkway lighting. 1-22 Sec. 219.002. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURES 1-23 REQUIRED. (a) The governing body of a municipality by ordinance 1-24 shall adopt standards for the design and installation of outdoor 2-1 lighting fixtures to ensure that the fixtures: 2-2 (1) conserve energy; 2-3 (2) preserve the natural night environment; and 2-4 (3) reduce or eliminate light pollution. 2-5 (b) The governing body shall require that all public outdoor 2-6 lighting fixtures be installed in compliance with standards adopted 2-7 under this section. 2-8 (c) The governing body may not approve a subdivision plat 2-9 unless the plat provides that outdoor lighting fixtures will comply 2-10 with standards adopted under this section. 2-11 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-16 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-17 passage, and it is so enacted.