Fluorescent Lamp Legislation Across the US: State-by-State Comparison

This blog was originally posted on 11th May, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

AUTHORED BY SAMANTHA ANGUIANO, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST, COMPLIANCE & RISKS

In recent years, several US states have introduced legislation restricting or phasing out the sale and distribution of fluorescent lamps, particularly mercury-containing lighting products. These regulatory developments are primarily driven by environmental, public health, and energy efficiency concerns associated with fluorescent lighting technologies.

Historically, fluorescent lamps were promoted as a more energy-efficient alternative to incandescent lighting. However, advances in LED technology have significantly changed the lighting market. New research has noted that LEDs provide substantially greater energy efficiency, longer product lifespan, and mercury-free alternatives to traditional fluorescent lamps.

In addition to energy efficiency considerations, many states have identified concerns regarding the mercury content of fluorescent lamps. Mercury is widely recognized as a toxic pollutant that can bioaccumulate in the environment and pose risks to human health, wildlife, air, and water quality.

As a result, states across the US have adopted different regulatory approaches, including product bans, phase-out requirements, mercury-content restrictions, and minimum energy efficiency standards for specified fluorescent lamps. Several additional proposals are also under consideration and could further expand existing restrictions in the coming years.

For manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, the growing patchwork of state-level requirements creates increasing compliance challenges, particularly for products distributed nationally across the US market.

This comparison chart provides an overview of enacted and proposed US state legislation related to fluorescent lamps, including restrictions, efficiency requirements, and applicable phase-out dates

US State Comparison Chart: Fluorescent Lamp Restrictions

State	Citation	Status	Summary	Phase Out Dates
Alabama	Nothing relevant
Alaska	Nothing relevant
Arizona	Nothing relevant
Arkansas	Nothing relevant
California	Assembly Bill 2208	In force (since Jan 01, 2023)	Prohibits the sale and distribution of specified compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps as new manufactured products in California.	Screw-base & bayonet-base CFL: January 1, 2024Pin-base CFL: January 1, 2025Linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 2025
Colorado	House Bill 1161	In force (since Aug 09, 2023)	Phases out the sale of mercury-containing general-purpose fluorescent lamps in Colorado.	Compact fluorescent lamps (including all base types): January 1, 2025Linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 2025
Connecticut	Nothing relevant
Delaware	Nothing relevant
Florida	Nothing relevant
Georgia	Nothing relevant
Hawaii	House Bill 192	In force (since Jul 05, 2023)	Prohibits the sale of specified fluorescent lamps as new manufactured products, subject to certain exemptions.	Screw or bayonet base type compact fluorescent: January 1, 2025Pin-base: January 1, 2026Linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 2026
Idaho	Nothing relevant
Illinois	House Bill 2363	In force (since Jan 01, 2025)	Gradually phases out the sale of fluorescent lighting products in Illinois.	Screw or bayonet base type compact fluorescent: January 1, 2026Pin-base: January 1, 2027Linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 2027
Indiana	Nothing relevant
Iowa	Nothing relevant
Kansas	Nothing relevant
Kentucky	Nothing relevant
Louisiana	Senate Bill 615	In force (since Jun 02, 2006)	Establishes mercury content limits for fluorescent lamps sold or distributed in Louisiana.	N/A
Maine	Legislative Document 1814	In force (since Aug 08, 2024)	Phases out specified fluorescent lamps to reduce mercury in the environment.	Compact fluorescent lamps (including all base types): January 1, 2026Linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 2026
Maryland	Nothing relevant
Massachusetts	Nothing relevant
Michigan	Nothing relevant
Minnesota	House Bill 3911	In force (since Aug 01, 2024)	Prohibits the sale of mercury-containing general-purpose lighting products.	Screw-base & bayonet-base CFL: January 1, 2025Pin-base CFL: January 1, 2026Linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 202
Mississippi	Nothing relevant
Missouri	Nothing relevant
Montana	Nothing relevant
Nebraska	Nothing relevant
Nevada	Nothing relevant
New Hampshire	Nothing relevant
New Jersey	Assembly Bill 5160	In force (since Jan 18, 2022)	Establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for specified fluorescent lamps, including high-CRI, cold-temperature, and impact-resistant fluorescent lamps.	N/A
New Mexico	Nothing relevant
New York	Senate Bill 9405	In force (since Jul 05, 2022)	Requires specified fluorescent lamps, including high-CRI, cold-temperature, and impact-resistant lamps, to comply with state energy efficiency standards.	N/A
	Senate Bill 4691	Proposed (proposed on Mar 07, 2025)	Proposes to prohibit the sale and distribution of specified mercury-added lamps.	Compact fluorescent lamp or linear fluorescent lamp: January 1 2028
	Senate Bill 6679	Proposed (proposed on Mar 07, 2025)	Proposes to prohibit the sale and distribution of mercury-added lamps and revise existing state requirements.	Screw-based compact: January 1, 2028Linear: January 1, 2028
North Carolina	Nothing relevant
North Dakota	Nothing relevant
Ohio	Nothing relevant
Oklahoma	Nothing relevant
Oregon	House Bill 2531	In force (since Sep 24, 2023)	Prohibits the sale and distribution of specified compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps in Oregon.	Screw-in or bayonet-base CFLs: January 1, 2024.Pin-based CFLs: January 1, 2025.Linear fluorescent lighting: January 1, 2025.
Pennsylvania	House Bill 660	Proposed (proposed on Feb 18, 2025)	Proposes minimum energy efficiency standards for specified fluorescent lamps, including high-CRI, cold-temperature, and impact-resistant fluorescent lamps.	N/A
Rhode Island	Senate Bill 1119	In force (since Jun 22, 2023)	Prohibits the sale and distribution of specified compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps as new manufactured products in Rhode Island.	Screw-base & bayonet-base CFL: January 1, 2024Pin-base CFL: January 1, 2025Linear fluorescent lamp: January 1, 2025
South Carolina	Nothing relevant
South Dakota	Nothing relevant
Tennessee	Nothing relevant
Texas	Nothing relevant
Utah	Nothing relevant
Vermont	House Bill 500	In force (since Jul 01, 2022)	Prohibits the sale and distribution of four-foot linear fluorescent lamps in Vermont.	Four-foot linear fluorescent lamps: January 1, 2024
Virginia	Nothing relevant
Washington	House Bill 1185	In force (since Jun 06, 2024)	Restricts the sale of most mercury-containing lighting products and extends the state stewardship program.	Compact fluorescent lamp or linear fluorescent lamp: Jan 1, 2029
West Virginia	Nothing relevant
Wisconsin	Nothing relevant
Wyoming	Nothing relevant

Conclusion

The US regulatory landscape for fluorescent lamps continues to evolve as more states adopt restrictions targeting mercury-containing lighting products and promote the transition to more energy-efficient alternatives such as LEDs.

While some states have implemented product bans and phase-out requirements, others have established minimum energy efficiency standards or mercury-content restrictions for specified fluorescent lamps. Additional proposed legislation across multiple jurisdictions indicates that state-level regulation in this area is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.

For manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, the growing patchwork of state requirements creates increasing compliance challenges, particularly for products distributed nationally across the US market. Staying informed of enacted and proposed legislative developments remains essential to ensuring ongoing compliance and market access.