Arkansas House Bill HB1608

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/13/23
• Refer: 3/13/23
• Failed: 5/1/23

Caption

To Establish The Public Entity Streetlight System Investment Act; And To Reduce Public Entity Street Lighting Costs.

Impact

The bill is expected to shift the ownership and maintenance of streetlight systems from electric utilities to local public entities. By enabling municipalities to own and manage these systems, the bill seeks not only to lower operational costs but also to leverage the collaborative maintenance of streetlight systems with other municipalities. This ownership transfer could potentially lead to better managed and technologically advanced streetlighting solutions while mitigating long-term maintenance expenses through regional management agreements. Under the new system, municipalities may more freely implement energy-efficient lighting and technology.

Summary

House Bill 1608, officially titled the Public Entity Streetlight System Investment Act, aims to empower municipalities and public entities by allowing them to purchase streetlight fixtures from electric utilities. This acquisition is intended to provide public entities with more control over their street lighting systems, thereby reducing expenses associated with electric tariffs imposed by utilities. The legislation highlights a serious concern over the high costs incurred by municipalities for street lighting, which taxpayers have been mandated to finance through electric distribution companies.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill may face contention from electric utilities that currently have control over these streetlight systems. There could be concerns regarding compensation for the figures being transitioned to public entities and potential disputes over usage rights associated with existing infrastructure. Additionally, critics may argue that municipalities might not have the necessary resources or expertise to manage these systems effectively without compromising public safety or service reliability. Ensuring public safety through adequate illumination while controlling light pollution and managing costs will be key challenges as this bill navigates through legislative processes.