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Transportation cabinet implements House Bill 571: new shielding rules for highway lights near agricultural land
Summary
Deputy State Highway Engineer Don Moore outlined steps to implement House Bill 571, which requires shielding of new outdoor fixtures and shielding of existing fixtures within 30 days after a complaint; members raised concerns about crop impacts from light trespass and asked for thresholds and cost information.
Deputy State Highway Engineer Don Moore told the committee the cabinet has updated installation policies to comply with House Bill 571 and is using shielding, dimming and fixture types as tools to reduce light trespass onto agricultural land.
Moore said nighttime crash rates are higher and that lighting is a proven countermeasure—"Nighttime crashes on our highways, the crash rate on at nighttime is 3 times higher than the crash rate during daytimes"—but the bill limits light encroachment on agricultural land. He read the statute's practical requirements: "the cabinet shall not allow light emitted from an outdoor light fixture to encroach on any agricultural land" and noted that new outdoor fixtures must be fully shielded and existing fixtures must be fully shielded within 30 days of a complaint. Moore said the cabinet will attempt shielding or dimming where possible but acknowledged there may be locations where the law's letter will make installations difficult.
Committee members, including Representative Bivens, described crop‑yield and greenhouse concerns tied to light cycles; Bivens said LEDs and increased lighting intensity have damaged plants and urged careful thresholds. Moore offered to work with members to find thresholds that protect crops while meeting highway safety needs.
