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.