To allow States to elect to observe year-round daylight saving time, and for other purposes.
Impact
If enacted, HB1474 would specifically alter federal regulations governing time observance, giving states enhanced control over how they wish to manage time within their jurisdictions. States that choose to adopt year-round daylight saving time could see adjustments in business hours, school schedules, and public services, all tailored to the shift in daylight. As a result, this could influence everything from energy consumption to traffic patterns and recreational activities.
Summary
House Bill 1474 is a legislative proposal aimed at allowing individual states the option to observe daylight saving time year-round. This bill amends the Uniform Time Act of 1966, providing states the authority to opt out of standard time regulations and maintain daylight saving time throughout the entire year. Proponents argue that this change could lead to various benefits including increased daylight during evenings, improved safety, and potential boosts to local economies by extending hours for outdoor activities.
Contention
However, the proposal is not without its critics. Opponents of year-round daylight saving time argue that the initial shift into daylight saving time can disrupt people's sleep cycles and health. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the potential confusion and complexity for interstate commerce and transportation as different states may choose differing observance. Thus, discussions around the bill are likely to include a range of perspectives on its practicality and societal impacts.
Related
Daylight Act This bill allows states to observe daylight savings time year-round. (States may already choose to observe standard time year-round.)
Relating to observing standard time year-round and authorizing a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving time year-round.
Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows an individual taxpayer occupying a residence a deduction from gross income for up to $5,000 of amounts paid into such taxpayer's emergency savings account. The bill defines emergency savings account as an account established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster mitigation expenses, disaster recovery expenses, public health emergency expenses, and unemployment-related expenses.
Relating to observing standard time year-round and authorizing a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving time year-round.
Small Business Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows a new tax deduction from gross income for amounts paid into a small business emergency savings account. Such savings accounts are established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster loss replacement expenses, disaster recovery operations expenses, and public health emergency expenses.