Relates to observing daylight savings time permanently; repealer

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic2

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

The daylight saving time (DST) period in the U.S. begins each year on the second Sunday in March when clocks are set forward by one hour. They are turned back again to standard time on the first Sunday in November as DST ends. The seasonal switch back and forth from daylight saving time causes productivity losses and leads to an increased risk of car accidents, health complications, and other damaging consequences. This legislation ensures that New York State is prepared to adopt perma- nent daylight saving time (DST) as soon as federal law permits. Currently, federal law under 15 U.S.C. § 260a does not allow states to independently observe DST year-round. However, if Congress amends this provision, New York would be able to make the transition on whichever date comes first: the second Sunday in March or the first Sunday in November. Moving to permanent DST offers several economic, health, and public safety benefits. Extending daylight hours into the evening can stimulate economic growth by increasing consumer activity, benefiting businesses such as retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Addi- tionally, permanent DST has the potential to reduce energy consumption by decreasing reliance on artificial lighting during evening hours. From a public health perspective, eliminating the biannual time change could help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and workplace accidents, all of which have been linked to disruptions in circadian rhythms. Moreover, studies suggest that more daylight in the evening can contrib- ute to lower crime rates and improved road safety by ensuring that more people commute home in daylight rather than darkness. Public opinion on adopting permanent daylight saving time in the United States has been extensively surveyed, revealing a significant portion of Americans favoring the elimination of the biannual clock changes, with a notable preference for permanent daylight saving time over standard time. In the last six years, 20 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions to provide for year-round daylight saving time, if Congress were to allow such a change, and in some cases, if surrounding states enact the same legislation. By enacting this legislation, New York will be positioned to reap the economic and societal benefits of permanent DST as soon as Congress grants states the authority to make this change.

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.