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 time for Alaska year-round, currently observed between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday of November. He explained the benefits of staying in DST [supporting documentation included in committee packets] include increased physical activity, a decrease in robberies, an increase in economic spending, and a decrease in fatal car crashes. Also included in the packets are public support to stop changing the clocks and further explanation of HB 30 in the sponsor statement, 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 far western part of the state, being they already have a late sunrise, but he noted receiving support from Anchorage and Southeast Alaska. He thanked the committee and welcomed any questions. 9:08:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE inquired on electronic devices that automatically change for DST, and if there is reprogramming, or a way to shut it off. 9:09:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied he does not have the answer but will do some research and get back to the committee at a later date. 9:09:35 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK stated he thought devices could be reset by Internet connection. 9:09:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ agreed with Chair McCormick. He continued to explain HB 30 is not about a preference between standard time versus DST but is more about in the event that the west coast changes, we do not want to be "off," which he opined is bad in a lot of ways. It is about staying in line with the West Coast. 9:11:59 AM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked if there is a companion resolution from the Alaska State Legislature encouraging Congress to pass HB 30. 9:12:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied he will look into that possibility. 9:12:54 AM REPRESENTATIVE MEARS reflected on time changes over the years and expressed concern over the western part of the state. She supports the idea of keeping the time the same but keeping it at standard time in consideration of western Alaska. 9:14:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about consideration for the span of Alaska and returning back to some sort of split. 9:14:56 AM CAROLINE HAMP, Staff, Representative Ortiz, Alaska State Legislature, replied there could be a preference stated but it is ultimately a federal decision if Alaska is 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. 9:17:29 AM 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 down or using electricity. The time change, she stated, was never supported by farmers and is not to this day. 9:18:28 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK asked if energy consumption increases during DST. 9:18:40 AM MS. HAMP mentioned a study [she can provide to the committee at a later date] that shows very little difference in energy cost and consumption. 9:19:22 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that HB 30 was held over.