HBA-CMT H.B. 164 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 164
By: Olivo
County Affairs
2/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the George Observatory is experiencing conflicts regarding the
regulation of light pollution. Telescopes used for research attract light
and work better in dark areas.  Artificial light that points downward, and
away from the atmosphere minimizes light pollution which hinders telescopic
research. House Bill 164 authorizes a county to regulate outdoor lighting
near a major astronomical observatory. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 164 amends the Local Government Code by modifying the definition
of "major astronomical observatory" to be a facility with one or more
telescopes that have objective diameters that total 75 inches or more and
are permanently mounted in enclosed buildings.  The bill also adds  the
director of the George Observatory to the list of persons who may request
the commissioners court of a county any part of which is located within 57
miles of a observatory to adopt orders regulating the installation and use
of outdoor lighting in any unincorporated territory of the county.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.