The Shine Safely Act of 2025 aims to phase out the sale and distribution of mercury-containing compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps in the District of Columbia to enhance public health, environmental safety, and worker protection. The bill highlights the dangers of mercury exposure from broken fluorescent lamps, which can adversely affect the nervous, immune, and renal systems, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and fetuses. The legislation promotes the transition to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and cost-effective, thereby reducing emissions and demand on the electric grid.

Under the provisions of the bill, starting July 1, 2027, it will be illegal to sell or distribute screw or bayonet base compact fluorescent lamps, and by July 1, 2028, this prohibition will extend to pin-base compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent lamps. The Department of Energy and the Environment will be responsible for conducting inspections to ensure compliance, issuing warnings or civil penalties for violations, and tracking complaints related to the act. The bill also outlines specific exemptions for certain types of lamps used in specialized applications, such as medical or research purposes.