Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H3494: An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility
Status: In committee, March 23, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Chapter 85 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section: Section 38. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: “Correlated color temperature” or “CCT”, the apparent hue of the light emitted by a fixture, expressed in kelvin (K). “Façade lighting”, illumination of exterior surfaces of buildings for the enhancement of their nighttime appearance, achieved by shining light onto building surfaces, or by internal or external illumination of translucent building surfaces, or with fixtures solely for decorative function. “Fixture”, a complete lighting unit, including a light source together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the light source and connect the light source to the power supply. “Fully shielded fixture”, a fixture that in its mounted position has an uplight value of U0 as defined by the standards of the Illuminating Engineering Society or that allows no direct light from the fixture above a horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light-emitting part, in its mounted position. “Glare”, light emitted by a fixture that causes visual discomfort or reduced visibility. “Illuminance”, the luminous power incident per unit area of a surface. “Light trespass”, light that falls beyond the property it is intended to illuminate. “Lumen”, a standard unit …
Sponsors
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- Simon Cataldo (D)
- Natalie Blais (D, 1st Franklin)
- James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
- Tarr, Andrew (D, 5th Essex)
- Margaret Scarsdale (D)
- Mike Connolly (D, 26th Middlesex)
- Kennedy, Edward J. (D, First Middlesex)
- Christine Barber (D)
- Danillo Sena (D)
- Joseph McKenna (R, 18th Worcester)
- James Hawkins (D, 2nd Bristol)
Latest actions
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Hearing rescheduled to 09/25/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:30 PM in A-1 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/25/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (March 17, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H3494?
- H3494 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility.
- What is the status of H3494?
- In committee as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored H3494?
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H3494?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3494
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.