| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to regulation of outdoor lighting by certain |
|
|
municipalities; creating a criminal offense. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 229, Local |
|
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
|
SUBCHAPTER B. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING NEAR MAJOR |
|
|
ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY |
|
|
SECTION 2. Chapter 229, Local Government Code, is amended |
|
|
by adding Subchapter C to read as follows: |
|
|
SUBCHAPTER C. GENERAL REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING BY CERTAIN |
|
|
MUNICIPALITIES |
|
|
Sec. 229.101. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "outdoor |
|
|
lighting" has the meaning assigned by Section 240.031. |
|
|
Sec. 229.102. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING. (a) The |
|
|
governing body of a municipality that has received or applied for an |
|
|
International Dark Sky Community designation by ordinance may |
|
|
regulate the installation and use of outdoor lighting in the |
|
|
municipality and the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. |
|
|
(b) A municipality may only regulate outdoor lighting |
|
|
constructed or renovated on or after the effective date of an |
|
|
ordinance adopted under Subsection (a). |
|
|
Sec. 229.103. ENFORCEMENT; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A |
|
|
municipality may sue in any court to enjoin a violation of an |
|
|
ordinance adopted under this subchapter. |
|
|
(b) A person who violates an ordinance adopted under this |
|
|
subchapter commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is |
|
|
a Class C misdemeanor. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |