SCR 7: Permanent standard time.

WHEREAS, Changing clocks between standard time and daylight saving time is disruptive to health, safety, education, and the economy; and

WHEREAS, The California Medical Association, California Sleep Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, National Sleep Foundation, Sleep Research Society, and Society for Research on Biological Rhythms advise against permanent daylight saving time and recommend permanent standard time; and

WHEREAS, Daylight saving time is scientifically proven to contribute to medical errors, heart attacks, car accidents, and student health issues and absenteeism; and

WHEREAS, Permanent daylight saving time has historically been repealed due to its harm to health, safety, education, and economy soon after its trials during World War II and the 1970s oil crisis; and

WHEREAS, Socially disadvantaged individuals such as shift workers are disproportionally impacted by daylight saving time as their sleep patterns are most affected, and child care is harder to obtain for their families; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature passed Senate Bill 328 (Portantino) in 2019 in support of moving school start times to protect the importance of more sleep to students’ health; and

WHEREAS, Permanent standard time presents a positive impact on businesses as workers are showing up alert, healthy, productive, and on time and can perform their job duties safely; and

WHEREAS, Permanent standard time provides positive implications for religious groups as it relates to prayer times and fasting; and

WHEREAS, Federal law permits permanent standard time by exemption from daylight saving time as the only alternative to biannual changing of clocks; and

WHEREAS, Permanent standard time has historically proven to last without incident for decades; and

WHEREAS, Arizona, Hawaii, all United States territories, Mexico, and most nations already observe permanent standard time; and

WHEREAS, Many states, including, in the Pacific Time Zone, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, are considering restoring permanent standard time; and

WHEREAS, Coordination with nearby states regarding timekeeping is essential to convenience of commerce; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature acknowledges the health benefits of permanent standard time; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.