HB 407 VA

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Introduced

Light pollution education and dark sky preservation. Provides that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shall serve as the lead agency for public education and outreach related to light pollution. The bill requires DEQ, in coordination with the Department of Energy, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), to develop and implement an education and outreach program to (i) inform the public about the impacts of light pollution on public health, safety, wildlife, and the environment; (ii) promote best practices for outdoor lighting, including energy-efficient and properly shielded outdoor lighting fixtures; and (iii) encourage voluntary adoption of lighting practices that reduce light pollution and energy waste. The bill further provides that DCR may designate qualifying areas within the Commonwealth as Dark Sky Preserves, as defined in the bill, and that a Dark Sky Preserve designation shall be voluntary and advisory and shall not create additional land use or lighting restrictions beyond those established by local ordinance. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

• David A. Reid Democratic · primary

1. Jan 12, 2026 Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104728D · lower
2. Jan 12, 2026 Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources · lower
3. Jan 19, 2026 Assigned HACNR sub: Natural Resources · lower
4. Jan 28, 2026 House subcommittee offered · lower
5. Jan 28, 2026 Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 2-N) · lower
6. Feb 18, 2026 Left in Committee Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources · lower

The published texts of this bill as it moves through the legislature. Each links to the official document on the state legislature site. Data from OpenStates.

• Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Amendment · HTML
• Introduced · PDF
• Introduced · HTML