HCR1014 HFLR Page 1 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1014 By: Hefner and Archer of the House and Nice of the Senate AS INTRODUCED A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the impact of light pollutions impact on bird mortality; encouraging Oklahoma businesses, state agencies, organizations, and residents to turn off any exterior lighting during the high migration intensity months of April, May, September and October. WHEREAS, the State of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Animal Coalition aim to provide birds safe passage during migration periods by reducing light pollution, as well as building and glass collisions, through the Lights Out Oklahoma campaign, and WHEREAS, birds help with the control of pests, carrion regulation, pollination, and seed dispersal while adding beauty and connecting people to nature and the outdoors; and HCR1014 HFLR Page 2 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 WHEREAS, birdwatching is an economic driver in the State of Oklahoma and is a fun, relaxing, multigenerational, educational and wellness activity for all; and WHEREAS, a wide diversity of birds in Oklahoma indicates a healthy environment; and WHEREAS, Oklahoma is part of the central flyway through which approximately 400 different s pecies of birds migrate during the spring and fall; and WHEREAS, the Oklahoma state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, is one of the many species of birds that migrate to our state to nest and rear their young; and WHEREAS, most birds migrate at night, n avigate by using the stars and moon, and can become disoriented by bright artificial light and sky glow, resulting in exhaustion and deadly collisions with buildings, glass, power lines, and vehicles; and WHEREAS, collisions with buildings is one of the to p causes of mortality of birds in the United States; and WHEREAS, the Lights Out Oklahoma program strategy is aimed to persuade building owners and managers and homeowners to turn off exterior lighting on all buildings at night during the high migration intensity months of April, May, September and October; and WHEREAS, these measures save energy and money and protect birds migrating to nesting grounds in the spring and wintering grounds in the fall; and HCR1014 HFLR Page 3 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 WHEREAS, Oklahoma joins the international community a nd states including Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Florida in sponsoring Lights Out projects to protect birds during migration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN: THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature supports reducing bird mortality in the areas and encourages Oklahoma businesses, state agencies, organizations, and residents to turn off any exterior lighting during the high migration intensity months of April, May, September and October. DIRECT TO CALENDAR.