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HB 571KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState BillSigned into law

Enacted

Kentucky requires state cabinet to shield outdoor lights from encroaching on agricultural land

Original title: AN ACT relating to light pollution and declaring an emergency.

Last action · April 13, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 130)Sponsors: Kim Holloway and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky law now prohibits state-maintained outdoor light fixtures from shining onto private or public agricultural land. Owners of agricultural land can submit written complaints, requiring the cabinet to fully shield offending fixtures within 30 days. The measure took effect immediately upon being signed into law on April 13, 2026.

Why it matters

Farmers gain a formal complaint process to force state agencies to eliminate light interference that can damage crop yields and farm operations. State and contractor highway construction projects are exempt for up to 180 days.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Agricultural landowners

Agricultural landowners gain the right to file written complaints to force the state to shield outdoor light fixtures encroaching on their property within thirty days.

Directly affected

Cabinet

The cabinet is prohibited from allowing light encroachment on agricultural land, must ensure new fixtures are fully shielded, and must modify existing fixtures within 30 days of receiving a complaint.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as agricultural land under this law?

Agricultural land is defined as any tract of at least ten contiguous acres used for producing livestock, poultry, crops, or timber, or any tract meeting requirements for state or federal agriculture program payments.

What must a landowner do if state-maintained lights shine onto their property?

The landowner can submit a written complaint to the cabinet, which must then ensure the light fixture is within 30 days.

Are highway construction lights exempt from these rules?

Yes, outdoor light fixtures used by the cabinet or its contractors for highway construction or maintenance projects are exempt as long as the encroachment lasts no longer than 180 days and lights are turned off when not in active use.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

15 actions

Apr 13, 2026HouseEnrolled
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 130)
Apr 1, 2026HouseEnrolled
posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, April 01 2026 3rd reading, passed 37-0 received in House enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
Mar 31, 2026SenateCommittee
returned to Rules (S)
Mar 26, 2026House
posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Friday, March 27 2026
Mar 25, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
Mar 24, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar

Show 9 earlier actions

Mar 13, 2026SenateCommittee
to Agriculture (S)
Mar 11, 2026SenateIntroduced
received in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
Mar 10, 2026HouseFloor
3rd reading, passed 98-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendments (1) and (2)
Mar 6, 2026House
floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 09 2026
Mar 5, 2026House
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
Feb 26, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules
Feb 25, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 12, 2026HouseCommittee
to Agriculture (H)
Feb 5, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Kim Holloway, General Assembly, John Hodgson and 1 more

PersonKim Holloway“Primary sponsor of HB 571”Map →

OrganizationGeneral Assembly“Kentucky General Assembly”Map →

PersonJohn Hodgson“Cosponsor of HB 571”Map →

PersonRyan Bivens“Cosponsor of HB 571”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz25
Current news / social attention level

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