The bill proposes to exempt the state of Washington from observing daylight saving time by implementing year-round Pacific Standard Time. It highlights the negative impacts associated with the biannual time change, including adverse effects on public health, increased traffic accidents, and disruptions to agriculture and economic growth. The bill intends to exercise rights under the Uniform Time Act to maintain standard time throughout the year, contingent upon federal authorization, which has not yet been granted.

To enact this change, the bill includes several amendments and repeals. It amends RCW 1.20.050 to prohibit any political subdivision from adopting daylight saving time unless under a gubernatorial emergency proclamation. Additionally, it repeals multiple existing laws related to daylight saving time, thereby streamlining the legal framework to support the new year-round standard time. The act is set to take effect on November 4, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 1.20.050