Bill Text: TX HB2857 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to regulation of outdoor lighting in certain areas; providing a criminal penalty and for injunctive relief.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-17 - Effective on 1/1/12 [HB2857 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HB2857-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 2857
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to regulation of outdoor lighting in certain areas;
  providing a criminal penalty and for injunctive relief.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 229, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER B.  REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING
         Sec. 229.051.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "major
  astronomical observatory" and "outdoor lighting" have the meanings
  assigned by Section 240.031.
         Sec. 229.052.  APPLICABILITY. (a)  This subchapter applies
  to a municipality located in a county any part of which is located
  within 57 miles of a major astronomical observatory at the McDonald
  Observatory.
         (b)  This subchapter does not apply to:
               (1)  outdoor lighting in existence or under
  construction on January 1, 2012; or
               (2)  the installation, maintenance, repair, or
  replacement of outdoor lighting owned or operated by an electric
  utility as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code.
         Sec. 229.053.  REGULATION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING. (a) The
  governing body of a municipality by ordinance shall regulate the
  installation and use of outdoor lighting.
         (b)  An ordinance adopted under this section must be designed
  to protect against the use of outdoor lighting in a way that
  interferes with scientific astronomical research of an
  observatory.
         (c)  In the ordinance, the governing body may:
               (1)  require that a permit be obtained from the
  municipality before the installation and use of certain types of
  outdoor lighting in a regulated area;
               (2)  establish a fee in an amount to cover the costs of
  administrating the issuance of the permit;
               (3)  prohibit the use of a type of outdoor lighting that
  is incompatible with the effective use of an observatory;
               (4)  establish requirements for the shielding of
  outdoor lighting; and
               (5)  regulate the times during which certain types of
  outdoor lighting may be used.
         (d)  The governing body may apply more stringent standards
  for areas in which the use of outdoor lighting has a greater impact
  on observatory activities.
         (e)  The governing body may adopt an ordinance under this
  section only after conducting a public hearing on the proposed
  ordinance. The governing body shall give at least two weeks' public
  notice of the hearing.
         Sec. 229.054.  REGULATION OF SUBDIVISIONS. (a)  The
  governing body of a municipality by ordinance shall establish
  standards relating to proposed subdivisions to minimize the
  interference with observatory activities caused by outdoor
  lighting.
         (b)  The governing body may not approve a subdivision plat
  unless the plat provides that outdoor lighting will comply with
  standards adopted under this section.
         Sec. 229.055.  ENFORCEMENT; PENALTY. (a)  A municipality
  may sue in any court to enjoin a violation of this subchapter.
         (b)  A person who violates an ordinance adopted under this
  subchapter commits an offense. An offense under this section is a
  Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 2.  Section 240.032(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The [On the request of the director of McDonald
  Observatory, the] commissioners court of a county, any part of
  which is located within 57 miles of a major astronomical
  observatory at the McDonald Observatory, shall [may] adopt orders
  regulating the installation and use of outdoor lighting in any
  unincorporated territory of the county.
         SECTION 3.  Section 240.033, Local Government Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and
  (d) to read as follows:
         (b)  The commissioners court of a county, any part of which
  is located within 57 miles of a major astronomical observatory at
  the McDonald Observatory, shall adopt orders establishing
  standards relating to proposed subdivisions to minimize the
  interference with observatory activities caused by outdoor
  lighting.
         (c)  The commissioners court of a county, any part of which
  is located [or] within five miles of a major astronomical
  observatory at the George Observatory or the Stephen F. Austin
  State University Observatory, may adopt orders establishing
  standards relating to proposed subdivisions [in order] to minimize
  the interference with observatory activities caused by outdoor
  lighting.
         (d)  A [The] commissioners court that adopts orders under
  this section may not approve a plat of a proposed subdivision that
  does not meet the standards established in the orders.
         SECTION 4.  Chapter 229, Local Government Code, is amended
  by designating Sections 229.001, 229.002, and 229.003 as Subchapter
  A and adding a heading for Subchapter A to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER A.  REGULATION OF FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES
         SECTION 5.  Section 240.031(3), Local Government Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2012.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2857 was passed by the House on April
  21, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 3, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 2857 on May 27, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 1,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2857 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 25, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 25, Nays
  6.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor       
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