PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 1934132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting

Sponsored By: Laurie Osher (Democratic)

Became Law

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS - PLANNING

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Caps on public light brightness and color

Beginning October 1, 2026, new or replacement public outdoor lights cannot exceed 125% of ANSI/IES recommended brightness. This cap does not apply to sports lighting. Outdoor lights are limited to 3,000 kelvins, except for sports fields, certain DOT or Turnpike roadway lights, and pedestrian sidewalk and crosswalk lighting. Towns or state rules may set stricter limits.

Shielding, trespass limits, and night shutoffs

From October 1, 2026, public light fixtures over 1,000 lumens must be fully shielded and send no more than 5% of light above 80 degrees. Light from public projects near protected natural areas cannot exceed 0.1 lux at the property line, measured at ground level and at 1.5 meters facing the light. Nonessential public lights, like decorative or facade lighting, must be off during nighttime hours.

Towns can set stricter lighting rules

Cities and towns may adopt local lighting ordinances to promote compliance and cover more outdoor lighting. Local rules can be stricter than state rules, but cannot conflict with Title 23, section 708. The state’s Office of Community Affairs will share a model ordinance when it has resources.

Rules for outdoor sports lighting

Starting October 1, 2026, sports lights must keep at least 85% of their light within 10 meters of the field or spectator area. For sports where balls fly higher than the poles, uplight above 80 degrees is capped at 8% of total output. Sports lights may not exceed 5,700 kelvins. These rules relax during actual games, events, or maintenance.

When these lighting rules start

The Act takes effect September 30, 2026. Most specific lighting standards described in this chapter apply beginning October 1, 2026.

Who is exempt from lighting rules

This law does not apply when federal DOT, FAA, or FHWA rules require different lighting, or when state public safety rules or emergencies require it. Temporary DOT or Turnpike work lighting may vary as allowed by rule. Registered historic fixtures, compliant seasonal decorations, ski area lighting, and lighting under Title 23, section 708 are also exempt.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laurie Osher

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Cassie Julia

    Democratic • House

  • David Woodsome

    Republican • House

  • Joseph M. Baldacci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Tipping

    Democratic • Senate

  • Morgan Rielly

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Richard Campbell

    Republican • House

  • Stacey K. Guerin

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 260 • No: 233

House vote • 6/13/2025

Enactment

Yes: 74 • No: 72

Senate vote • 6/11/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 22 • No: 9

Senate vote • 6/11/2025

PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED

Yes: 24 • No: 7

House vote • 6/11/2025

RECEDE AND CONCUR

Yes: 74 • No: 67

House vote • 6/10/2025

Acc Maj OTP as Amended Rep

Yes: 66 • No: 78

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 516

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/13/2025Senate

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 476(Yeas 74 - Nays 72 - Absent 3 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/13/2025House

  5. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to ACCEPTANCE of the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report and PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-561) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-349) thereto. ROLL CALL NO. 444(Yeas 74 - Nays 67 - Absent 8 - Excused 2)ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/11/2025House

  6. Report READ Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report In NON-CONCURRENCE. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-561) Report in NON-CONCURRENCE. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 462 Yeas 22 - Nays 9 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-561) READ On motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot Senate Amendment "A" (S-349) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-561) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (H-561) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-349) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-561) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-349) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCE PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 463 Yeas 24 - Nays 7 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 Sent down for concurrence

    6/11/2025Senate

  7. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report FAILED.ROLL CALL NO. 394(Yeas 66 - Nays 78 - Absent 5 - Excused 2)On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, the Minority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  8. Unfinished Business

    6/9/2025House

  9. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook moved to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report.Representative GREENWOOD of Wales REQUESTED a Roll Call. More than one-fifth of the members present expressed a desire for a roll call, which was ORDERED.On motion of Representative MOONEN of Portland, TABLED pending the motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report.Later today assigned. (Roll Call Ordered)

    6/9/2025House

  10. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, TABLED pending ACCEPTANCE of Either Report.Later today assigned.

    6/9/2025House

  11. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT in concurrence

    5/6/2025Senate

  12. Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/6/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation