Legislators Consider Ending Daylight Saving Time

Montana residents might not need to spring forward and fall back their clocks in the future.

Senate Bill 254, which aims to revise Daylight Saving Time, was heard in the Montana House’s energy, technology and federal relations committee on Friday, March 19. The Senate passed the bill, 31-18, on its third reading on March 2.

Bill sponsor Mary McNally, D-Billings, said the main purpose of the bill is to gain approval at the state level in case a national change is approved by federal officials.

“No one wants to keep changing their clocks twice a year,” Mc-Nally said. “The only discussion is which one (Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time) do we stick with.”

McNally said 15 states have already enacted legislation for the change, but nothing can be done technically without federal congressional action. The Sunrise Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., would end standard time in the country.

“This time, it seems like they are somewhat serious about it,” McNally said. “This bill will have us ready to go if and when it happens.”

Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber, spoke as a proponent of the bill. He noted the proposal would allow Montana to join other states if a change is made.

“I think it’s high time that we do it,” Esp said. “Everybody wants to stay at one time or another.”

Scott Yates of the #Lock theClock movement said that a recent poll by Politico shows that 45 percent of Americans strongly support making Daylight Saving Time permanent and 23 percent are somewhat supportive of the idea. Ross Morgan spoke in opposition of the bill. He warned people to be careful of what they wish for.

Morgan said the bill would create later sunrises in the morning and that would impact both schools and workplaces.

He noted students will be heading to school in the dark.

“For first-time drivers, their first drives are typically to school,” Morgan said.