Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/22/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB116 | |
| SB102 | |
| SB26 | |
| HB121 | |
| SB35 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 102-ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
4:28:45 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 102 "An Act exempting the state
from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date."
4:29:06 PM
JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented SB 102:
[Original punctuation provided.]
• SB 102 Eliminates Alaska's observation of the
twice-yearly clock change known as Daylight
Saving Time and opts to keep Alaska in Permanent
Observation of Standard Time.
-Arizona, Hawaii, five US territories and
many countries have ceased the observation
of DST yearly.
-60 percent of countries in the EU voted to
remove observation of DST in 2019.
• There are many negative health effects associated
with the annual clock change, regardless of
springing forward or falling back.
-Negative health effects include mental and
behavioral issues, risks to cardiovascular
health, circadian rhythm changes and
injuries due to the lack of light in the
morning after switching to DST
• Permanent ST is the best option for Alaskans
around the State. Many, many studies point to
Standard time being the best and healthiest
option for everyone, including Alaskans. This is
the quickest way to stop the twice annual clock
change.
-Russia tried permanent DST and it led to
increased health issues, stress and in
Northern Russia, harsher winter months due
to the lack of sunlight. There was an
increase of road accidents due to permanent
DST.
-Current federal laws allow states to exempt
themselves from observing DST which is why
Hawaii, Arizona and 5 US Territories observe
year-round Standard Time. However, states
are not allowed to move to permanent DST
until congress amends the Uniform Time Act.
4:31:16 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced invited and public testimony on SB 102.
4:32:13 PM
JAY PEA, President, Save Standard Time, Phoenix, Arizona,
testified by invitation on SB 102. He stated that daylight
saving time doesn't create more daylight and forces people to
wake up earlier, leading to sleep deprivation, health risks,
safety issues, and economic costs. Permanent daylight time has
been tried and repealed due to these problems, while permanent
standard time supports circadian health, school children,
commuters, and workers. He said many states and countries have
adopted or are considering permanent standard time, which is
federally approved and provides a safe, healthy, and lasting
alternative to clock changes.
4:34:32 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked for his opinion on what President Trump has
said about his preference on daylight savings.
4:34:59 PM
MR. PEA replied that President Trump has given conflicting
statements on daylight saving time, making his stance
unpredictable. He emphasized that permanent standard time,
aligning clocks with natural sunlight, is the healthiest and
safest option.
4:36:03 PM
CINDY HITE, representing self, Willow, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 102.
4:36:34 PM
LISA ALEXIA, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 102. She said with 25 years of Alaskan healthcare
experience, supports eliminating daylight saving time (DST) for
public health, safety, and educational benefits. She emphasized
that Alaska's displacement from solar noon causes circadian
disruptions, contributing to physical, mental, and educational
problems, especially in winter and in western regions. SB 102 is
favored because it restores morning light, unlike other
proposals that delay action or exacerbate late sunrises. She
compared returning to standard time to public health measures
such as vaccines and seatbelts. She highlighted the importance
of legislative decisions for population-level benefits.
4:40:14 PM
HEATHER KOPONEN, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 102, reiterating previous testimonies. She
opined that getting rid of daylight savings is better than being
closer to Seattle time.
4:41:51 PM
LYNN WILLIS, representing self, Eagle River, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 102 and said it would immediately resolve
Alaska's time zone issues, unlike SB 26, which relies on
uncertain federal action. He urged passing SB 102 to align
clocks with the sun and eliminate unnecessary delays.
4:43:35 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI left public testimony open for SB 102.
4:43:49 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 102 in committee.