VirginiaLight pollution education and dark sky preservation; DEQ shall serve as lead agency.
What it does
Light pollution education and dark sky preservation. Provides that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shall serve as the lead agency for public education and outreach related to light pollution. The bill requires DEQ, in coordination with the Department of Energy, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), to develop and implement an education and outreach program to (i) inform the public about the impacts of light pollution on public health, safety, wildlife, and the environment; (ii) promote best practices for outdoor lighting, including energy-efficient and properly shielded outdoor lighting fixtures; and (iii) encourage voluntary adoption of lighting practices that reduce light pollution and energy waste.
More detail
The bill further provides that DCR may designate qualifying areas within the Commonwealth as Dark Sky Preserves, as defined in the bill, and that a Dark Sky Preserve designation shall be voluntary and advisory and shall not create additional land use or lighting restrictions beyond those established by local ordinance. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 18Left in Committee Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesLatest
- Jan 28Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 2-N)
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends laying on the table. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28House subcommittee offered
- Jan 19Assigned HACNR sub: Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 12Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104728DIntroduced