Enacts the "brightness emission analysis for motorist safety (BEAMS) act" which requires the department of transportation with participating institutions conduct a study on LED headlights.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9816
IN SENATE
April 6, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. OBERACKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT requiring the department of transportation and the governor's
traffic safety committee, in coordination and consultation with the
state university of New York and the city university of New York, as
well as the state university of New York College of Optometry and any
automotive programs within the state university of New York and the
city university of New York, to conduct a study on the impacts of LED
headlight glare on motorists' safety, and providing for the submission
of a report to the governor and the legislature
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 the "brightness emission analysis for motorist safety (BEAMS) act".
3 § 2. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that contemporary auto-
4 motive light emitting diode (LED) headlights, while designed to improve
5 visibility and safety for individual motorists, may pose significant
6 hazards to oncoming drivers and the general traveling public due to
7 increased glare or brightness. Excessive headlight glare or brightness
8 has become a growing safety concern across the State and the nation.
9 While high-intensity LED lighting may reduce certain collision risks for
10 the motorist using such technology, the unintended consequences for
11 oncoming motorists, including impaired vision, temporary blindness, and
12 potential long-term eye health concerns must be examined. The legisla-
13 ture recognizes the importance of imploring the federal government to
14 act in conjunction with automotive manufacturers to address this issue.
15 However, New York state possesses the resources and expertise to conduct
16 an independent study to further understand the impacts of LED headlight
17 glare. The results of this study will inform state-level policies,
18 support advocacy for federal action, and improve roadway safety for all
19 motorists. Therefore, this act directs the department of transportation
20 and the governor's traffic safety committee, in consultation with
21 academic institutions and technical experts, to perform a comprehensive
22 analysis and produce a detailed report on this matter. The findings of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13667-01-5
S. 9816 2
1 such study shall be transmitted to appropriate federal agencies and
2 authorities for their consideration.
3 § 3. (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this act, the following
4 terms shall have the following meanings:
5 (i) "Commissioner" shall mean the commissioner of the New York state
6 department of transportation.
7 (ii) "Committee" shall mean the governor's traffic safety committee.
8 (iii) "Department" shall mean the New York state department of trans-
9 portation.
10 (iv) "Participating institution" shall mean the state university of
11 New York and the city university of New York, as well as the state
12 university of New York College of Optometry and any automotive programs
13 within the state university of New York and the city university of New
14 York.
15 (b) Study and report. The department and committee shall, within one
16 year of the effective date of this section, in coordination and consul-
17 tation with participating institutions, conduct a comprehensive study on
18 the impacts of automotive headlight brightness and glare on motorist
19 safety. Such study shall include, but not be limited to:
20 (i) examining LED low beam headlight and headlamp alignment standards
21 and practices;
22 (ii) assessing glare intensity and its effect on oncoming motorists;
23 (iii) analyzing short-term and long-term health implications of LED
24 headlight brightness and glare;
25 (iv) evaluating the dangers, risks, and potential liability associated
26 with excessive brightness and glare;
27 (v) compiling relevant data, accident reports, or research findings
28 pertaining to headlight brightness and glare; and
29 (vi) developing report on the findings of the study including, but not
30 limited to, recommendations for mitigating LED headlight brightness and
31 glare, including potential regulatory or technological solutions, and
32 any additional information or data deemed appropriate by the department,
33 committee, or participating institutions.
34 (c) Report. The commissioner shall deliver such report to the gover-
35 nor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly,
36 the senate committees on health, insurance, and transportation, and the
37 assembly committees on health, insurance, and transportation no later
38 than one year after the effective date of this act. Such report shall be
39 publicly posted on the department and committee's websites.
40 § 4. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
41 have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after
42 such effective date.
