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Bill

A 4217

Requires all commercial buildings be retrofitted with motion detectors for controlling lighting

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Brown and 2 co-sponsors

Requires retrofitting all commercial buildings with motion-detecting lighting controls, creating upfront costs for owners while promising energy savings.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 4217

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4217 — Motion-Detector Lighting Retrofit for Commercial Buildings

Bill at a glance

  • Bill number: A 4217
  • Title: Requires all commercial buildings be retrofitted with motion detectors for controlling lighting
  • Primary sponsor: Keith Brown
  • Cosponsors: Joe DeStefano, David McDonough
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Operations
  • Introduced: January 31, 2025
  • Related bills (prior-session): A 10292, A 5593

Purpose and intent

A 4217 would mandate that lighting in all commercial buildings be controlled by motion-detecting devices through retrofits. The stated aim, based on the bill’s title and description, is to use motion-activated lighting controls to manage illumination, presumably to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. The provided information does not include stated rationale, public health or safety justifications, or environmental impact assessments, so those considerations are not specified here.

Key provisions (as described)

  • Retrofit requirement: All commercial buildings must be retrofitted to install motion detectors that control lighting.
  • Scope and controls: The summary indicates motion-detecting controls as the mechanism for lighting management; details on which spaces are covered (e.g., offices, retail, industrial), performance standards, and types of detectors are not specified in the available information.
  • Implementation details: Specific timelines, phased compliance schedules, penalties for noncompliance, maintenance requirements, and enforcement mechanisms are not provided in the summary.

Affected parties and impacts

  • Primary affected group: Owners, operators, and managers of commercial buildings who would need to undertake retrofits to install motion-detecting lighting controls.
  • Potential implications:
    • Upfront capital costs for retrofits (equipment purchase, installation, and potential contractor fees).
    • Ongoing energy savings from reduced lighting use in unoccupied or low-activity periods.
    • Possible maintenance and monitoring requirements to ensure detectors remain functional.
    • Economic considerations could influence building operating budgets, tenant relations, and property value.

Procedural status and timeline

  • The bill is currently in the Governmental Operations committee as of its introduction date (January 31, 2025).
  • Legislative actions shown indicate only referral to the committee; no hearings, amendments, or floor votes are recorded in the provided information.
  • Until further committee action occurs, there is no publicly available schedule for hearings or a floor vote.

Related legislation

  • Prior-session related bills: A 10292 and A 5593. These may share similar objectives or provisions and could inform how A 4217 might be refined or amended.

Notes

  • Specific details on exemptions, phased timelines, funding sources or incentives, compliance deadlines, and enforcement tools are not included in the provided text. Such elements would shape the bill’s practical impact and the burden on building owners.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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