PRINTER'S NO. 1730
No. 175 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY WANSACZ, BEBKO-JONES, CALTAGIRONE, DALEY,
FAIRCHILD, HARHAI, JAMES, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND, MELIO, MUNDY,
READSHAW, MYERS, RUBLEY, SANTONI, STABACK, THOMAS, WALKO,
WATERS, C. WILLIAMS, J. WILLIAMS AND WOJNAROSKI,
APRIL 30, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, APRIL 30, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Establishing a select committee to study the growing issue of
2 light pollution and the damage that it causes the natural
3 nocturnal environment and how using new lighting technology
4 can rectify this problem.
5 WHEREAS, Improperly lit areas are at an increased risk of
6 crime; and
7 WHEREAS A typical suburban sky today is about five to ten
8 times brighter at the zenith than the natural sky; and
9 WHEREAS, Poor outdoor lighting shines into neighbors'
10 properties and into bedroom windows reducing privacy and
11 reducing sleep; and
12 WHEREAS, Many outdoor lights waste energy by emitting much of
13 their light into the sky, wasting over a billion dollars in the
14 United States each year; and
15 WHEREAS, Glare from improperly lit areas hampers the vision
16 of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers; and
17 WHEREAS, Light pollution causes skyglow that washes out our
1 view of the stars and the night sky; therefore be it
2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives establish a
3 select committee to investigate, review and recommend remedies
4 to reduce light pollution and its damaging effects; and be it
5 further
6 RESOLVED, That the select committee study the activities of
7 other states in resolving issues such as glare, light trespass,
8 energy waste and skyglow; and be it further
9 RESOLVED, That the select committee be composed of 15
10 citizens, eight of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
11 House of Representatives and seven of whom shall be appointed by
12 the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and be it
13 further
14 RESOLVED, That the chairman of the select committee be
15 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
16 vice chairman of the select committee be appointed by the
17 Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and be it
18 further
19 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
20 and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives each
21 appoint no more than four members of the House of Representtives
22 to the select committee; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That the makeup of the remainder of the select
24 committee consist of persons selected by the Speaker of the
25 House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of
26 Representatives at their discretion; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the select committee hold hearings, take
28 testimony and make its investigation at such places as it deems
29 necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further
30 RESOLVED, That the select committee prepare a report with its
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1 findings and recommendations not later than one year from
2 adoption of this resolution; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of
4 Representatives be authorized to pay for necessary and
5 reasonable expenses incurred by the select committee.
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