BILL NUMBER: S5725 REVISED 3/19/2026
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general construction law, in relation to observing
daylight savings time permanently; and to repeal section 2-106 of the
administrative code of the city of New York in relation to daylight
savings time
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would authorize NYS to permanently move to Daylight Saving
Time
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Provides legislative intent.
Section 2: Amends Section 52 of the general construction law to state
that the standards time throughout the state shall be daylight savings
time.
Section 3: Repeals Section 2-106 of the administrative code of the city
of New York.
Section 4: Sets Effective Date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The daylight saving time (DST) period in the U.S. begins each year on
the second Sunday in March when clocks are set forward by one hour.
They are turned back again to standard time on the first Sunday in
November as DST ends. The seasonal switch back and forth from daylight
saving time causes productivity losses and leads to an increased risk of
car accidents, health complications, and other damaging consequences.
This legislation ensures that New York State is prepared to adopt perma-
nent daylight saving time (DST) as soon as federal law permits.
Currently, federal law under 15 U.S.C. § 260a does not allow states to
independently observe DST year-round. However, if Congress amends this
provision, New York would be able to make the transition on whichever
date comes first: the second Sunday in March or the first Sunday in
November.
Moving to permanent DST offers several economic, health, and public
safety benefits. Extending daylight hours into the evening can stimulate
economic growth by increasing consumer activity, benefiting businesses
such as retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Addi-
tionally, permanent DST has the potential to reduce energy consumption
by decreasing reliance on artificial lighting during evening hours. From
a public health perspective, eliminating the biannual time change could
help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and workplace accidents,
all of which have been linked to disruptions in circadian rhythms.
Moreover, studies suggest that more daylight in the evening can contrib-
ute to lower crime rates and improved road safety by ensuring that more
people commute home in daylight rather than darkness.
Public opinion on adopting permanent daylight saving time in the United
States has been extensively surveyed, revealing a significant portion of
Americans favoring the elimination of the biannual clock changes, with a
notable preference for permanent daylight saving time over standard
time. In the last six years, 20 states have enacted legislation or
passed resolutions to provide for year-round daylight saving time, if
Congress were to allow such a change, and in some cases, if surrounding
states enact the same legislation. By enacting this legislation, New
York will be positioned to reap the economic and societal benefits of
permanent DST as soon as Congress grants states the authority to make
this change.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect at the earlier of two o'clock ante meridian
on the first Sunday of November next succeeding or two o'clock ante
meridian on the second Sunday of March next succeeding the amendment of
15 U.S.C. section 260a permitting the state to observe daylight savings
time for the eastern time zone of the United States permanently;
provided that the secretary of state shall notify the legislative bill
drafting commission upon the occurrence of the amendment of 15 U.S.C.
section 260a permitting the state to observe daylight savings time for
the eastern time zone of the United States permanently in order that the
commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of
the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of
effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and
section 70-b of the public officers law.

Statutes affected:
S5725: 52 general construction law