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 the Arkansas Code, establishing guidelines for the installation of lighting systems, which must utilize full cutoff fixtures and adhere to specific illuminance levels as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The legislation also emphasizes the importance of minimizing glare, light pollution, and light trespass, 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 pollution. 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 Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act seeks to balance the need for adequate outdoor lighting with the preservation of the nighttime environment and public health.