44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT; ENACTING THE NIGHT SKY PROTECTION ACT; PROVIDING A PENALTY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Night Sky Protection Act".

Section 2. PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Night Sky Protection Act is to regulate outdoor night lighting fixtures to preserve and enhance the state's dark sky while promoting safety, conserving energy and preserving the environment for astronomy.

Section 3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Night Sky Protection Act:

A. "outdoor lighting fixture" means an outdoor artificial illuminating device, whether permanent or portable, used for illumination or advertisement, including searchlights, spotlights and floodlights, whether for architectural lighting, parking lot lighting, landscape lighting, billboards or street lighting; and

B. "shielded" means a fixture that is shielded in such a manner that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected at least fifteen degrees below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.

Section 4. SHIELDING OF OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES.--All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be shielded, except incandescent fixtures of one hundred fifty watts or less and other sources of seventy watts or less.

Section 5. NONCONFORMING LIGHT FIXTURES.--

A. In addition to other exemptions provided in the Night Sky Protection Act, an outdoor lighting fixture not meeting these provisions shall be allowed, if the fixture is extinguished by an automatic shutoff device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.

B. No outdoor recreational facility, whether public or private, shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude any recreational or sporting event or other activity conducted, which is in progress prior to 11:00 p.m. at a ballpark, outdoor amphitheater, arena or similar facility.

Section 6. USE OF MERCURY VAPOR LIGHTING FIXTURES.--No new mercury vapor outdoor lighting fixtures shall be sold or installed after January 1, 2000. No replacement equipment or bulbs for mercury vapor lighting fixtures shall be sold in the state after January 1, 2001.

Section 7. EXEMPTIONS.--

A. The following are exempt from the requirements of the Night Sky Protection Act:

(1) outdoor lighting fixtures existing and legally installed prior to the effective date of the Night Sky Protection Act; however, when existing lighting fixtures become inoperable, their replacements are subject to all the provisions of the Night Sky Protection Act;

(2) outdoor lighting fixtures used on land or facilities under the control of the federal government; and

(3) navigational lighting systems at airports and other lighting necessary for aircraft safety at airports.

B. The provisions of the Night Sky Protection Act are cumulative and supplemental and shall not apply within any county or municipality that, by ordinance or resolution, has adopted provisions restricting light pollution that are equal to or more stringent than the provisions of the Night Sky Protection Act.

Section 8. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES DIVISION--

DUTIES.--The construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department shall review the outdoor lighting provisions in the uniform building codes used in New Mexico and make recommendations for appropriate changes to comply with the provisions of the Night Sky Protection Act.

Section 9. VIOLATIONS--PENALTY.--Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of the Night Sky Protection Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.