SB 26-ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME  SB 102-ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME  1:31:44 PM CHAIR MERRICK announced the consideration of: SENATE BILL NO. 26 "An Act petitioning the United States Department of Transportation to change the time zones of Alaska; exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE BILL NO. 102 "An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." CHAIR MERRICK said the intention is to open public testimony on SB 26 and SB 102 and to look to the will of the committee on both bills. 1:32:33 PM CHAIR MERRICK invited Mr. Crocker to offer opening comments on SB 26. 1:32:44 PM KERRY CROCKER, Staff, Senator Kelly Merrick, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap on SB 26. He said SB 26 simplifies Alaska timekeeping by eliminating daylight saving time and realigning the state's time zone to better meet economic and logistical needs. The bill has two key provisions: - End daylight saving time in Alaska to align the state with the Pacific Standard Time zone. - Petition the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to move Alaska into the Pacific Standard Time zone. He noted that USDOT has approved time zone changes eight times across five states in the last 20 years. MR. CROCKER said these adjustments are possible, and there is precedent for them. SB 26 would establish a more practical time system for Alaska, benefiting residences and businesses. 1:33:52 PM CHAIR MERRICK invited Mr. Hayes to give opening comments on SB 102. 1:34:02 PM JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap on SB 102. He said SB 102 proposes to exempt the state from daylight saving time. Alaska has observed daylight saving since 1966, but SB 102 proposes that the state remain on standard time year-round. He said this time change will benefit the mental and physical health of Alaskans, Alaska's economy, and would eliminate the need to change clock times twice each year. Alaska could make this change for itself and would not require a federal petition. 1:34:55 PM CHAIR MERRICK opened public testimony on SB 26 and SB 102. 1:35:20 PM LYNN WILLIS, representing self, Eagle River, Alaska, testified on SB 26 and SB 102. He stated that if the legislature passes SB 102, Alaska would be finished with daylight saving time by November 4, 2025. However, if SB 26 passes, it could persist for another decade. He emphasized that daylight saving time affects 700,000 Alaskans twice a year, forcing them to adjust for convenience rather than necessity. He cited art. I, sec. 22, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the right to privacy, emphasizing that the State should not be in his bedroom twice a year at two in the morning, telling him to change his clock. He urged an advisory vote on the next general election ballot if the legislature proceeds with SB 26, to let Alaskans decide on the issue due to its potential 10-year timeframe. 1:37:54 PM CHAIR MERRICK closed public testimony on SB 26 and SB 111. 1:38:00 PM CHAIR MERRICK solicited the will of the committee on moving [SB 26] from committee. 1:38:06 PM SENATOR DUNBAR moved to report SB 26, work order 34-LS0267\A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note, and authorization for Legislative Legal Services to make conforming changes. 1:38:21 PM CHAIR MERRICK found no objection and SB 26 was reported from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee. 1:38:24 PM At ease. 1:40:22 PM CHAIR MERRICK reconvened the meeting at 1:40 p.m. and solicited the will of the committee on moving [SB 102] from committee. 1:40:28 PM SENATOR DUNBAR moved to report SB 102, work order 34-LS0625\A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note, and authorization for Legislative Legal Services to make conforming changes. 1:40:43 PM CHAIR MERRICK found no objection and SB 102 was reported from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.