Missouri House Bill HB1625

Missouri 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/6/23

Caption

Prohibits the state from participating in Daylight Saving Time unless federal law is modified

Impact

If enacted, HB1625 would have a significant impact on how time is regulated in Missouri. The bill stipulates that the state will maintain standard time unless federal legislation changes to adopt Daylight Saving Time as the official time. This would alter the current practice, where states have the option to shift to Daylight Saving Time, creating potential discrepancies between Missouri and neighboring states that choose to continue observing the time change. Such a shift might influence various sectors, including business operations, public transportation, and local government scheduling.

Summary

House Bill 1625, introduced by Representative Gragg, seeks to amend state legislation related to Daylight Saving Time in Missouri. The bill proposes that, beginning November 5, 2024, the state will set clocks back to standard time and will no longer participate in the once-annual clock adjustment that occurs for Daylight Saving Time. The intention behind this bill is to establish a permanent adherence to standard time, effectively discontinuing the practice of adjusting clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall.

Contention

While the full extent of the discussion surrounding HB1625 is not detailed in the provided documents, it is likely that the proposition has elicited a range of opinions. Proponents may argue that eliminating Daylight Saving Time can enhance public health and safety by allowing for more consistent daylight hours throughout the year. Conversely, opponents could express concerns about the potential economic impacts or the desire for alignment with regions that do observe Daylight Saving Time. There may also be apprehensions regarding the change in tradition and the adjustment for residents who are accustomed to the biannual clock changes.