1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to wind turbines; requiring certain lighting systems atop wind turbines;
1.3 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [216C.49] WIND TURBINES; LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
1.6 	(a) An owner of a wind turbine requiring a permit under sections 360.81 to 360.91 or 
1.7 	an owner of a wind turbine who is required to install a light or lighting system atop a wind 
1.8 	turbine by a political subdivision must install a functioning aircraft detection lighting system 
1.9 	atop the wind turbine that meets the requirements for such systems in the current version 
1.10 	of the Federal Aviation Administration's Advisory Circular 70/760-1, Obstruction Marking 
1.11 	and Lighting, as updated. An aircraft detection lighting system installed on a wind turbine 
1.12 	in Minnesota must be purchased from a vendor approved by the Federal Aviation 
1.13 	Administration.
1.14 	(b) For the purposes of this section, "aircraft detection lighting system" means a 
1.15 	sensor-based system that uses radio frequency to detect aircraft approaching an obstruction 
1.16 	or group of obstructions, and automatically activates appropriate obstruction lights until the 
1.17 	lights are no longer needed by the aircraft. An aircraft detection lighting system may include 
1.18 	an audio feature that transmits an audible warning message to provide a pilot additional 
1.19 	information regarding an obstruction the aircraft is approaching.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. This section is effective the day following 
1.21 	final enactment. A wind turbine issued a permit under sections 360.81 to 360.91 prior to 
1.22 	the effective date of this section or a wind turbine required to install a light or lighting system 
2.1 	atop a wind turbine by a political subdivision before the effective date of this section must 
2.2 	install an aircraft detection lighting system no later than December 31, 2019.