California State Legislator Proposes Ending Daylight Saving Time

Legislation proposed in California 'aims to repeal Daylight saving time and put California permanently on Standard time,' reports a San Diego news station:

In November 2018, California voters passed Prop 7, a measure that would allow the state legislature to change Daylight saving time by either keeping it year-round or getting rid of it altogether. However, this measure also requires approval by the U.S. Congress if California were to opt for year-round Daylight Saving Time. So far, nothing has materialized.

'I am really, really passionate about this bill,' said State Assembly Member Tri Ta, who added it is finally time to listen to the will of the voters. He has drafted new legislation that to do away with twice-yearly time changes. However, his bill would put the Golden State onto year-round Standard time: a move that would not require federal action. Oregon and Washington state are also considering similar moves [though Oregon's bill appears stalled]. 'If my bill is passed, we do not need congressional approval,' Ta told CBS 8, 'so that's a win-win for everyone....'

Ta said that his bill has the support of the California Medical Association, as well as sleep experts who say Standard time syncs better with our natural clocks. 'So why don't we go along with science?' Ta added. 'That's what I believe.' One things most people seem to agree on: it's time to stop changing our clocks, which research has shown leads to higher rates of accidents as well as increased health risks.

'While this new bill continues to work its way through Sacramento, Daylight saving time is still a go here in California,' the article points out, 'starting 2 a.m. Sunday, when we set our clocks forward one hour.'

But USA Today adds that across the rest of the country, 'Most Americans — 62% — are in favor of ending the time change, according to an Economist/YouGov poll from last year.'

Read more of this story at Slashdot.