SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — Utah lawmakers are once again revisiting the ongoing debate over time changes with the introduction of a new bill aimed at keeping clocks from shifting twice a year.
On January 22, House Bill 120, also known as the Time Change Amendments, passed through the House Government Operations Committee with unanimous support. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Elison (R), seeks to make Utah’s time permanent, opting for standard time year-round.
Under the proposed legislation, Utah would remain on standard time throughout the year unless the federal government permits permanent daylight saving time. In such a case, the state would then switch to daylight saving time, aligning with federal law.
Rep. Elison, who has long advocated for this change, addressed the committee, emphasizing the widespread dissatisfaction with the current practice of changing the clocks twice a year. “It’s a recurring problem that we hear about every single year, twice a year,” Elison said. “Everybody talks about it in grocery stores, at church, in schools, etc.”
According to Elison, a significant 80% of Utahns are in favor of eliminating the clock change. He believes the only way to meet their demand is by adopting a permanent standard time policy. Currently, only two other states—Hawaii and Arizona—adhere to permanent standard time.
Utah had previously passed a law that would allow the state to switch to permanent daylight saving time if surrounding states adopted similar policies and if federal law allowed for it. While neighboring states have moved toward permanent daylight saving time, federal restrictions still prevent the change.
Supporters of the new bill argue that permanent standard time would provide several benefits for residents. Jay Pea, Co-Chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, testified during the committee hearing, citing the importance of morning light for various groups, including schoolchildren, commuters, and construction workers. “That morning light is especially important for schoolchildren, for commuters, construction workers, and service personnel. It also helps the ski industry that needs that morning light,” Pea said. “It also lets us sleep a little bit later in the morning and makes it easier to get to bed on time.”
However, some critics of the bill, including Ryan Peterson from the Golf Alliance for Utah, expressed concern about the impact of permanent standard time on outdoor activities. Peterson argued that outdoor sports, particularly golf, rely on extended daylight hours in the evening. “A significant number of our rounds of golf are played in the afternoon in the summer. You cannot play a round of golf after 5 p.m. when work ends on standard time,” Peterson explained. He also raised concerns about the potential negative effects on high school sports, which often lack lighting for evening games.
H.B. 120 has now moved on to the House of Representatives, where it awaits a vote. If approved, it will proceed to the Utah Senate for further consideration.
As the debate over time changes continues, Utah lawmakers face the challenge of balancing the desires of constituents with the practical implications of permanent standard time. The outcome of this bill could have lasting effects on the daily lives of Utahns, reshaping how the state aligns with the rest of the nation on time.