The Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act aims to regulate outdoor lighting systems to enhance safety, conserve energy, save taxpayer dollars, and protect the state's natural nighttime environment. The Act introduces a new chapter in Arkansas law, establishing standards for outdoor illumination, including the requirement that new or replacement lighting systems utilize "full cutoff" fixtures that minimize light pollution and glare. The legislation also emphasizes the importance of adhering to specific illuminance levels as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society and the U.S. Department of Transportation, while setting color temperature limits for residential and other areas.

Additionally, the Act outlines exemptions for certain lighting requirements, such as those for sports facilities, historic sites, and correctional facilities, provided that efforts are made to minimize light trespass and upward lighting. It also allows public utilities to recover compliance costs through an interim surcharge, ensuring that expenses incurred to meet the new regulations can be recouped in a timely manner. Overall, the Act seeks to balance the need for adequate outdoor lighting with the preservation of the nighttime environment and public health.