Daylight saving all the time proposed for state

Washington residents could have the option to vote on permanent daylight saving time; Senate passes bill allowing residents to vote on adoption of daylight saving time

By Madeline Coats Washington Newspaper Publishers Association • March 13, 2019 1:30 am
Rep. Jim Walsh, a Republican from Aberdeen (from left) and Sen. Dean Takko (D-Longview) each voted against efforts in the legislature to allow Washington to adopt daylight saving time year-round. Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen) and most other regional lawmakers voted for the House bill. Photo by Sean Harding | Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
Rep. Jim Walsh, a Republican from Aberdeen (from left) and Sen. Dean Takko (D-Longview) each voted against efforts in the legislature to allow Washington to adopt daylight saving time year-round. Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen) and most other regional lawmakers voted for the House bill. Photo by Sean Harding | Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

By Madeline Coats

Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

OLYMPIA — Washington residents could vote to make daylight saving time year-round under a bill state senators passed Tuesday, March 12.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5139 was approved in a 46-3 vote, just two days after clocks were set forward. The measure was introduced by Sen. Jim Honeyford (R-Sunnyside). This is the third year in a row Honeyford has pitched the daylight saving bill.

“With the time change, we find there’s more auto accidents, more heart attacks, more strokes and children don’t do as well on tests in school,” Honeyford said.

Sen. Dean Takko (D-Longview) joined Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) and Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch) in voting against the bill.

According to the proposed legislation, research has shown that changing between standard time and daylight saving time has negative impacts on public health, agriculture, economic growth and crime. Scientific studies indicate a number of health consequences as a result of the time switch, including increased suicide rates and more frequent workplace injuries, the bill states.

ESSB 5139 includes a referendum for the residents of Washington state to vote on the adoption or rejection of year-round daylight saving time at the next general election, which would be in November 2019.

The bill requires approval from United States Congress to amend federal laws allowing states to remain on daylight saving time. President Donald Trump voiced his support for the idea on Monday, March 11, with a tweet that read, “Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!”

In an attempt to create more consistency, California, Oregon and Idaho also are working on legislation to eliminate the semiannual time change.

Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) spoke in support of the bill, saying that the measure sends a powerful message to the federal government to take the issue seriously.

“I think the important piece about the referendum clause is we’re sending a message to Washington D.C. about what the residents of Washington State think about the option of going to permanent daylight savings time,” he said.

Substitute House Bill 1196 was passed by the House of Representatives in a 89-7 vote on Saturday, March 9. The legislation allows the state to follow Pacific Daylight Time throughout the year, should federal law change.

Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen) is the only regional lawmaker to vote against the bill.

The House and Senate will now work toward a compromise on differences between the two bills.