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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

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Safety and other lighting exemptions

Starting October 1, 2026, some public lighting is exempt from these limits, but only as needed. Lights required by federal transportation or aviation rules are allowed. The Department of Public Safety may allow lighting needed for public safety or security. Police, fire, and first responders can use lighting during emergencies. Temporary roadwork lighting approved by DOT or the Maine Turnpike Authority may exceed limits only as needed for safety and efficiency. Historic fixture setups, ski area lighting, and seasonal displays are exempt, but seasonal displays must still meet the 0.1 lux trespass and nighttime shut-off rules. Lighting regulated under Title 23, section 708 is excluded.

New limits on public outdoor lighting

Beginning October 1, 2026, public entities must meet new outdoor lighting limits when installing or replacing lights for public improvements. Light levels may not exceed 125% of the ANSI/IES recommended level (not for sports lighting). Fixtures over 1,000 lumens must be fully shielded and may emit no more than 5% of total light above 80 degrees. Light trespass into state or federal wilderness, natural areas, habitats, or reserves may not exceed 0.1 lux at the boundary. Most outdoor lights must be 3,000 K or less. Nonessential lights must turn off during nighttime hours: 10:00 p.m. to sunrise or 7:00 a.m., whichever is earlier. If a facility stays open later, lights must turn off one hour after closing. Sports lighting has special rules: at least 85% of light must stay within 10 meters of the field or stands. If play height is above pole height, up to 8% of total light may go above 80 degrees. Sports fixtures must use the lowest feasible color temperature and may not exceed 5,700 K. Sports lighting may deviate from some limits only during active play or maintenance.

State and local rulemaking on lighting

Effective September 30, 2026, state agencies and towns get rulemaking tools for this law. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services can issue rules and exemptions. The Department of Public Safety can set safety and security exemptions. The Department of Transportation can set roadway and pedestrian lighting rules, and the Maine Turnpike Authority can set rules for temporary construction lighting. Agencies proposing rules that affect towns must consult the Maine Office of Community Affairs, and all rules are major substantive. Towns may adopt local ordinances to extend or tighten lighting rules beyond public projects, as long as they do not conflict with Title 23, section 708. The Office of Community Affairs will share a model ordinance when it has resources.

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

    1/11/2026

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-561), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment S-A to C-A (S-349), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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