‘Birds or burglars’? New Yorkers debate state bill that would order outdoor lights off to help wildlife

New York State lawmakers proposed a bill that would require home and commercial property owners to shut off their outdoor lights overnight — legislation that has sparked a fierce debate over potential safety concerns.

Dubbed the Dark Skies Protection Act, property owners would have to shut down almost all outdoor lights, including porch lights, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.