HB1104
To Adopt Daylight Saving Time Permanently; Concerning Daylight Saving Time; And To Amend The Duties Of The Secretary Of State.
Last Action (Jan. 10, 2023): WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1104 establishes the legislative intent for the State of Arkansas to adopt Daylight Saving Time as the permanent standard time, contingent upon authorization from the United States federal government. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State continuously monitor federal law, specifically 15 U.S.C. § 260a, to determine if states are permitted to observe Daylight Saving Time on a permanent basis. Upon a determination that federal law has been amended to allow such a change, the Secretary of State is required to notify the Governor and key legislative leaders within five business days. Following this notification, the state would officially transition to permanent Daylight Saving Time. The bill provides specific procedural instructions for the timing of this switch based on whether the federal authorization occurs before or after the traditional start and end dates for Daylight Saving Time. This legislation does not enact a change immediately but prepares the state to implement the transition automatically if federal law is modified.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include the general public in Arkansas who prefer consistent daylight hours in the evening throughout the year, as well as industries that may benefit from longer evening daylight, such as tourism, retail, and outdoor recreational businesses.
Who Might Suffer?
Potentially negatively impacted groups include entities that rely on traditional synchronized time zones with neighboring states that may not adopt the same policy, as well as industries or individuals that would be adversely affected by darker morning hours during winter months, such as the agricultural sector, early-morning commuters, and school districts concerned with student safety during morning bus routes.
Get Notified
Receive an email when this bill's status changes.