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 Permanent daylight time has been tried and repealed due to these problems, while permanent standard time supports circadian health, school children, commuters, and workers.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.