HJR 20-REPEAL FEDERAL DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME 8:47:23 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20, Urging the United States Congress to end daylight saving time. 8:47:44 AM REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as the sponsor of HJR 20, explained that the reason for HJR 20 is to raise the issue of ending DST in Congress and to gather support from other states. The resolution highlights the concerns with DST, which were discussed earlier in the meeting when HB 19 was discussed. 8:48:22 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON asked if other states have concerns with DST. REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH informed the committee that the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) lists 5-10 states that have taken this issue up over the last few years. In fact, Florida and California have most recently been reviewing [the repeal of] DST. She specified that she is [through HJR 20] asking Congress to speak with the US Department of Transportation to end DST. She related her belief that enough support could be rallied nationally to take up the issue. She acknowledged that DST may or may not save energy and that current technology could better measure that. She then highlighted that doctors are engaging in the DST conversation because of the disruption of circadian rhythms and its impact on one's body. Those in northern latitudes are further out of sync than elsewhere in the world, she pointed out. 8:50:27 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS moved to report HJR 20 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA objected. 8:50:42 AM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA emphasized the need to proceed with care, particularly due to the current energy situation. 8:52:36 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS pointed out that HJR 20 has another committee of referral, the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee, and suggested that the resolution be allowed to be heard in that committee. 8:53:09 AM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA reminded the members that this committee is charged with reviewing the impact of legislation on the citizens of the state. 8:54:33 AM CO-CHAIR MUNOZ, referring to the question of energy, pointed out that in the fall when an hour is lost, houses are lit longer and more energy is used. She surmised that the aforementioned would have a negative impact on energy costs. REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH related her agreement with Co-Chair Munoz. She then related that the communities facing the most concern with energy consumption are the communities that are asking for the repeal more than any other region or area. 8:55:50 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON encouraged Representative Cissna to remove her objection to HJR 20 and work with the sponsor on HB 19. 8:56:27 AM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA withdrew her objection. There being no further objection, HJR 20 was reported from the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.