131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1845		LR 1986(02)
	An Act to Regulate Outdoor Lighting
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - Municipalities
			FY 2023-24	FY 2024-25	Projections  FY 2025-26	Projections  FY 2026-27
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$282,849	$391,336	$407,897	$425,219
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$282,849	$391,336	$407,897	$425,219
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill regulates the installation, placement, or replacement of outdoor lighting fixtures at or on a covered property or a covered entity. Covered entities are defined as the State, a political subdivision of the State, and the owner or lessee of a commercial facility. Covered properties are defined as property owned or leased by the State or by a political subdivision that is a commercial facility that includes stores, offices, warehouses, factories, and storage facilities. Under the bill, beginning January 1, 2024, covered entities are prohibited from placing, installing, or replacing an outdoor lighting fixture at or on a covered property unless that fixture meets certain requirements. This prohibition will restrict covered entities' use of fixtures to specific fixtures that meet the requirements. As a result, covered entities will incur additional costs to place, install or replace outdoor lighting fixtures. Due to the scope and application of the bill, the costs to comply are expected to be significant for the State and municipalities.
	The bill includes General Fund appropriations of $282,849 in fiscal year 2023-24 and $391,336 in fiscal year 2024-25 to the Department of Environmental Protection for four Environmental Specialist III positions and associated costs to implement the provisions of this bill.