This bill establishes that New Jersey will permanently observe standard time, effectively ending the practice of daylight saving time. The legislation amends current law to define the standard time of New Jersey as "Coordinated Universal Time minus five hours," eliminating the previous provision that allowed for a one-hour advancement of time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The bill highlights the negative impacts of the biannual time change, including economic losses, increased health risks, and adverse effects on mental well-being, while also noting the benefits of remaining on standard time, such as improved public health and safety.

The bill is set to take effect immediately, with a specific provision that if enacted during the daylight saving time period, it will take effect on the first Sunday in November following its enactment. This change aligns with recommendations from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which advocates for the elimination of seasonal time changes in favor of a consistent year-round time.