ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1652

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 29, 2018

      The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1652.

      As reported, this bill requires the State to install, replace, or maintain outdoor lighting fixtures that comply with design requirements in the bill that are intended to minimize wasted light and State funds.  The bill does not require the State to replace outdoor lighting fixtures that function properly as of the bill's effective date, and only applies to the replacement of deficient outdoor lighting fixtures.

      Under the bill, the State is to install, replace, or maintain an outdoor lighting fixture if: an outdoor lighting fixture with a rated output greater than 1,800 lumens is installed or replaced with a cutoff luminaire; the minimum illuminance adequate for the intended purpose is used with consideration given to nationally recognized standards; for fixtures used for lighting a designated highway of the State highway system, the Department of Transportation determines that that purpose of the outdoor lighting fixture cannot be achieved by the installation of reflective road markers, lines, warning or informational signs, or other effective methods; and full consideration has been given to energy conservation, reducing glare, minimizing light pollution, and preserving the natural light environment.

      Under the bill, the State is not required to install, replace, or maintain an outdoor lighting fixture if: the outdoor lighting fixture is used on a temporary basis because emergency personnel require it; the outdoor lighting fixture is used on a temporary basis for nighttime work; the outdoor lighting fixture is used for a special event or situation; a compelling safety interest exists; the replacement of outdoor lighting fixtures constitutes less than 30 percent of an entire outdoor lighting system at a New Jersey Transit (NJT) Corporation facility, or an outdoor lighting fixture at a NJT Corporation facility was approved by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office; a federal law supersedes or is inconsistent with the bill; or the outdoor lighting fixture is used on a historic property or any building, site, or area designated historic by a historic preservation commission.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.