Lawmakers in Washington are pushing forward with a bill to end the clock-changing madness, aiming to implement permanent Pacific Standard Time. Moving away from the biannual tradition, the proposed law sidesteps the need for federal approval, a step that's tripped up previous attempts to hold onto daylight saving time year-round.
Senate Bill 5795, backed by a bipartisan group of 13 senators including Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley), is being touted as a solution to the mental and physical health issues associated with switching clocks. As reported by Axios Seattle, the bill would exempt the state from daylight saving time and introduce uninterrupted standard time instead. "We've waited and waited and waited ... We're tired of the switch," Padden said in a statement obtained by Axios Seattle.
The legislation points to the harm the current system causes, including increased traffic accidents and crime, and disruptions in sectors from agriculture to economics. As noted by KING 5, the bill also references studies indicating the negative public health impacts of time changes, reinforcing the argument for a stable time-keeping system.
Washington's quest to ditch the clock change was stalled despite state legislators approving permanent daylight saving time back in 2019. The hitch: shifting to permanent DST requires Congress to sign off, a hurdle which has yet to be cleared. In contrast, adopting standard time is a decision states can make unilaterally, a route already taken by Arizona, Hawaii, and several U.S. territories, according to KING 5. Should the bill pass, Washingtonians could see the new time regime kick in as soon as November 4 of this year.
The debate continues over the merits of standard time versus daylight saving time. While some studies suggest that more evening light reduces crime rates and promotes outdoor activities, health experts argue that standard time aligns better with our natural circadian rhythms. Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) noted the interest in scrapping the switch, saying the bill would get "air time" for serious consideration, per Axios Seattle's coverage.
