Enacts the feathered lives also count act

• Democratic36
• Republican7

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Brian Kavanagh says this is needed

Scientists estimate that between 365 million and 1 billion birds die in collisions with buildings each year. New York City Audubon estimates that as many as 230,000 birds are killed by buildings in New York City alone every year, likely because migratory birds flying at night collide with skyscrapers' glass windows. Smaller structures pose a threat too: the American Bird Conservancy estimates that residences and low rise buildings account for 99% of all bird deaths in the United States. These deaths are often tied to light pollution that confuses and attracts birds as they fly. Luckily, there are mitigation strategies. Bird collisions can be prevented through the adoption of bird-friendly design principles, including properly positioned window decals and films, decorative facades or grilles, and UV patterned, frosted, or fritted glass. A 2021 study of Chicago bird deaths found that turning some lights off in buildings at night can reduce bird mortality by around 60 percent. Many of these solutions are low-cost and easy to implement, especially in the planning phase for new construction or during planned renovations. The Bird Safe Buildings Act would reduce bird fatalities in the state by requiring that any new or significantly altered state building incorpo- rate bird-friendly designs - an important first step toward reducing unnecessary bird mortality.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.