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.