This bill aims to transition the state of Washington to permanent standard time, eliminating the biannual shift to daylight saving time. The legislature recognizes the negative impacts of these time changes on public health, safety, and economic efficiency, citing research that links the abrupt changes to increased health risks and operational costs for businesses and government entities. By adopting permanent standard time, the bill seeks to align the state's timekeeping with human biological rhythms, thereby promoting better health outcomes and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.

To implement this change, the bill amends existing laws, specifically RCW 1.20.050 and RCW 35A.21.190, to establish that Washington will adhere to the standard time designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, rejecting daylight saving time. It also includes provisions that prevent local governments from adopting daylight saving time unless established on a national basis. Additionally, the bill repeals several previous statutes related to daylight saving time, streamlining the legal framework to support the transition to permanent standard time.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 1.20.050, 35A.21.190