Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
03/14/2023 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s)|| Regulatory Commission of Alaska | |
| HB78 | |
| HB30 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 30-OBSERVE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ALL YEAR
9:02:57 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 30, "An Act relating to daylight saving time;
and providing for an effective date."
9:03:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 30. He began by explaining that if
enacted, HB 30 would establish Daylight Saving Time (DST) as the
official time for Alaska year-round, currently observed between
the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday of November. He
explained the benefits of staying in DST [supporting
documentation included in committee packets] include increased
physical activity, a decrease in robberies, an increase in
economic spending, and a decrease in fatal car crashes. Also
included in the packets are public support to stop changing the
clocks and further explanation of HB 30 in the sponsor
statement, which read as follows, [original punctuation
provided]:
House Bill 30 establishes Daylight Saving Time (DST)
as the official time for the State of Alaska year-
round, subject to the authorization of federal law.
DST is observed between the second Sunday of March
and the first Sunday of November. Adoption of this
legislation is the first step. To fully implement the
change to full-time DST, action by the United States
Congress is required. Congress will need to amend
federal law to allow states to observe DST throughout
the calendar year.
Nationally, the initiative to change to full-time DST
is gaining traction. As of March 2022, 18 states have
enacted DST legislation. In 2022 alone, 28 states are
considering DST legislation. On the west coast,
California voters authorized the change pending
legislation and in 2019, both Washington and Oregon
passed legislation similar to HB30. Our Canadian
neighbors have also taken steps to move to full-time
DST. British Columbia passed legislation to implement
full-time DST contingent on the U.S. west coast also
implementing it. Yukon began full-time DST on March 8,
2020.
Because of our close economic and geographic ties to
the U.S. and Canadian west coasts, Alaska can avoid
being 'left in the dark' by passing HB30.
9:07:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ acknowledged that a permanent move to DST
could create some concern particularly in the far western part
of the state, being they already have a late sunrise, but he
noted receiving support from Anchorage and Southeast Alaska. He
thanked the committee and welcomed any questions.
9:08:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE inquired on electronic devices that
automatically change for DST, and if there is reprogramming, or
a way to shut it off.
9:09:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied he does not have the answer but
will do some research and get back to the committee at a later
date.
9:09:35 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK stated he thought devices could be reset by
Internet connection.
9:09:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ agreed with Chair McCormick. He continued
to explain HB 30 is not about a preference between standard time
versus DST but is more about in the event that the west coast
changes, we do not want to be "off," which he opined is bad in a
lot of ways. It is about staying in line with the West Coast.
9:11:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked if there is a companion resolution
from the Alaska State Legislature encouraging Congress to pass
HB 30.
9:12:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied he will look into that possibility.
9:12:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS reflected on time changes over the years
and expressed concern over the western part of the state. She
supports the idea of keeping the time the same but keeping it at
standard time in consideration of western Alaska.
9:14:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about consideration for the span
of Alaska and returning back to some sort of split.
9:14:56 AM
CAROLINE HAMP, Staff, Representative Ortiz, Alaska State
Legislature, replied there could be a preference stated but it
is ultimately a federal decision if Alaska is to have multiple
time zones.
9:17:14 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK questioned the original purpose of DST, and
asked if it was to benefit farmers.
9:17:29 AM
MS. HAMP replied that originally DST was a measure to help with
light, and the ability to do day to day tasks without burning
candles down or using electricity. The time change, she stated,
was never supported by farmers and is not to this day.
9:18:28 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK asked if energy consumption increases during
DST.
9:18:40 AM
MS. HAMP mentioned a study [she can provide to the committee at
a later date] that shows very little difference in energy cost
and consumption.
9:19:22 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that HB 30 was held over.