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 year-round time for Alaska. It is currently observed
between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday of
November. He explained the benefits of staying in DST, which
include increased physical activity, a decrease in robberies, an
increase in economic spending, and a decrease in fatal car
crashes. He stated that included in the committee packet are
supporting documents and public support. He referred to the
sponsor statement [copy included in the committee packet], 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 western part of
the state, as it already has a late sunrise. He noted that
support has been received from Anchorage and Southeast Alaska.
He thanked the committee and welcomed any questions.
9:08:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE referenced electronic devices which
automatically change for DST. He questioned whether they can be
reprogrammed.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ expressed uncertainty but would follow up
to the committee.
CHAIR MCCORMICK expressed the understanding that the devices can
be reset with an Internet connection.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ agreed with Chair McCormick. He continued
to explain HB 30 is not about a preference between standard time
versus DST, rather he expressed concern if [Pacific Standard
Time] changes. He expressed the opinion that this would put
Alaska out of synch.
9:11:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE referenced support for the Sunshine
Protection Act in the U.S. Congress. He questioned whether
there would be a companion resolution from the Alaska State
Legislature to encourage the U.S. Congress to pass this.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ expressed interest in the possibility.
9:12:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS reflected on time changes over the years.
She acknowledged the vastness of the state and expressed concern
about how the time change would affect the western part of the
state.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE, in reference to Representative Mears's
comments, questioned returning to some sort of split in the time
zone for the western part of the state.
CAROLINE HAMP, Staff, Representative Dan Ortiz, Alaska State
Legislature, replied that it is ultimately a federal decision
for a state 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.
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 or using electricity. The time change, she stated, was
never supported by farmers and is not to this day.
CHAIR MCCORMICK asked if energy consumption increases during
DST.
MS. HAMP referred to a study which shows very little difference
in energy cost and consumption. She offered to follow up with a
copy of the study to the committee.
9:19:22 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that HB 30 was held over.