SB 6272
In CommitteeSenate
Birds/buildings
Concerning the design and operation of buildings to protect birds.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill aims to reduce bird collisions with buildings by encouraging energy-saving lighting practices during migration seasons and updating green building standards to reward bird-safe design. It also expands paid and unpaid holidays for state and local government workers and formally recognizes 'lights out for birds' in state law.
- Designates April, May, September, and October as the official 'lights out for birds' period to raise awareness and encourage actions to protect migratory birds.
- Requires state and local government employees to receive one additional paid holiday (chosen by the employee) and two unpaid holidays for religious or conscientious reasons.
- Amends the LEED certification rules to award extra points for using bird-safe materials (e.g., patterned glass) and reducing nighttime lighting, helping projects meet the LEED Silver requirement.
- Mandates that nonessential outdoor lighting be turned off between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at state facilities during migration months, and requires lighting upgrades (e.g., shielded fixtures, motion sensors, right-sizing brightness).
- Requires all major public and private construction projects receiving state funding to meet LEED Silver certification, with flexibility to use alternative high-performance certifications during the 2023–2025 and 2025–2027 fiscal biennia.
Who is affected
- State and local government employees — State and local government employees gain an additional paid holiday they can choose, plus two unpaid holidays for religious or conscientious reasons, with protections against undue hardship on employers.
- Public agencies and private developers of major construction projects — Public agencies and private entities building major facilities must now use LEED Silver certification, with extra points awarded for bird-safe materials and reduced nighttime lighting.
- Migratory birds (especially over 500 species in Washington) — Migratory birds benefit from reduced light pollution during peak migration months (April, May, September, October), lowering the risk of building collisions and improving survival rates.
- State facility managers (e.g., Department of Enterprise Services) — State agencies managing facilities must implement lighting changes (e.g., turning off nonessential lights at night, using shielded or motion-sensor lighting) to protect birds and conserve energy.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The additional paid holiday and two unpaid religious/conscientious holidays strengthen religious liberty and work–life balance for state and local employees, especially those with non-traditional faiths or obligations not accommodated by standard holidays.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2) & (3)Mandating shielded fixtures, motion sensors, and right-sized lighting at state facilities reduces light pollution and energy use—directly benefiting ecosystems and lowering public utility costs, with measurable co-benefits for public health (e.g., reduced circadian disruption).
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 4(2)(a)(i–iii)Awarding extra LEED points for bird-safe materials (e.g., patterned glass) and nighttime lighting reductions incentivizes design changes that significantly reduce bird mortality—supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services that benefit all Washingtonians.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(6)Reducing unnecessary nighttime lighting at state facilities during migration months lowers energy consumption and associated fire/overload risks from over-lit infrastructure, while also reducing glare that can impair nighttime visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (findings) & Sec. 4(2)(a)The LEED Silver mandate may spur demand for green building professionals and suppliers—potentially creating jobs in sustainable design, retrofitting, and manufacturing of bird-safe materials—though benefits may skew toward larger firms with certification expertise.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(1) & (2)
Potential Concerns (5)
The requirement for state and local governments to grant one additional paid holiday per employee increases labor costs for public employers, potentially straining already tight budgets—especially for smaller municipalities and districts with limited staffing flexibility.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(2)The two unpaid religious/conscientious holidays per employee may increase scheduling burdens and reduce operational capacity for public agencies, especially where staffing is already constrained (e.g., public safety, schools, transit), potentially affecting service delivery.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(3)Mandating LEED Silver certification for all major publicly funded construction projects (including private developers receiving state funds) may raise project costs and delay timelines, especially for smaller contractors or in regions where LEED-certified expertise and materials are scarce.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 3(1) & (2)The requirement to turn off nonessential outdoor lighting at state facilities between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. may reduce public safety in some contexts (e.g., poorly lit parking lots, transit hubs), particularly where alternative lighting or security measures are not in place.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 4(2)(a)The temporary allowance to use alternative high-performance certifications during 2023–2027 and 2025–2027 creates regulatory uncertainty and may delay consistent implementation of bird-safe standards across projects.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 3(7)
Who Is Most Affected
State and local government employees gain tangible benefits: one additional paid holiday and two unpaid religious/conscientious holidays, improving work–life balance and religious accommodation—though employers may face scheduling strain.
Private developers and contractors must comply with LEED Silver (or alternative) standards, potentially increasing upfront costs but also creating new market opportunities in bird-safe design and energy-efficient construction.
Migratory birds—especially over 500 species in WA—face significantly reduced risk of fatal building collisions during migration months due to lighting reductions and safer building design, directly improving survival rates.
State facility managers gain flexibility to reduce energy costs and comply with LEED requirements, but must invest in lighting retrofits and coordinate with LEED certification processes—net benefit depends on state energy savings offsets.
Local governments face added administrative and staffing burdens from new holiday policies and may need to adjust budgets for lighting retrofits, but benefit from state-level support and long-term energy savings.