HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate passed a resolution today calling on the U.S. Congress to end the outdated practice of changing the clocks twice a year, according to the resolution’s sponsor, Senator Scott Martin (R-13).
Senate Resolution 46 would call on Congress to establish a consistent, year-round time and eliminate the transitions between Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time each spring and fall. Eliminating the transition between Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time nationwide would require action at the federal level.
To date, at least 29 states have introduced legislation to stop clock changes; Arizona and Hawaii already observe permanent Standard Time under existing law. S.29 and H.R. 139 have been introduced at the federal level make Daylight Saving Time the new, permanent standard time and allow states with areas exempt from Daylight Saving time to choose the Standard Time for those areas.
Martin previously introduced resolutions calling on Congress to establish permanent Daylight Saving Time. However, Senate Resolution 46 does not weigh in on whether to establish permanent Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time; it only asks Congress to establish a consistent, year-round time.
Studies show that the twice-a-year time changes results in more accidents, health problems and a loss of productivity of more than $400 million annually.
“There have always been disagreements about whether we should follow Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time permanently. That has prevented movement on this issue at the federal level,” Martin said. “For me, the most important thing is ending the practice of changing the clocks twice a year and all the negative consequences that come with it.”
Martin pointed out there is a common misconception that Daylight Saving Time began to help farmers. The practice began temporarily during World War I as a fuel-saving measure and was reinstated briefly during World War II. It was made a permanent fixture for most American states and territories when President Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act of 1966.
CONTACT: Jason Thompson