BILL ANALYSIS
SJR 1 X2
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 11, 2001
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY COSTS AND AVAILABILITY
Roderick D. Wright, Chair
SJR 1 X2 (Karnette) - As Introduced: May 17, 2001
SUBJECT : Daylight saving time.
SUMMARY : This resolution memorializes the United States
Congress to approve legislation allowing states to uniformly
apply daylight saving time on a year round basis.
EXISTING LAW : Provides states with the authority to universally
apply standard time, but the federal government retains control
over daylight saving time (DST).
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS :
According to the author, the purpose of the resolution is to
support currently pending legislation seeking congressional
authorization for state control over DST. This would allow
California the option, not impose a federal mandate, to reduce
energy consumption through application of DST.
The author contends that use of daylight saving tie is a
time-tested energy reduction tool.
The shift to year round daylight saving time would mean later
sunrises and sunsets during the winter and spring months. In
the winter the sun would rise in Sacramento, for example, at
8:20 a.m., and would set 5:48 p.m. By the spring, the sun would
rise earlier, at 7:08 a.m. and set about 7:20 p.m. The summer
periods would remain unchanged. In contrast, year round
standard time, observed in portions of three states and numerous
U.S. territories, results in earlier sunrises in the summer and
earlier sunsets during the summer and fall months.
California's climate differs from central and eastern parts of
the United States. Our winters are generally milder and our
summers less humid in general. The shift to year round daylight
saving time would likely reduce heating costs for those who turn
off or down their heaters at night - because the day is extended
for an hour. The need to use artificial lighting is also
reduced. There are safety considerations though for the winter
SJR 1 X2
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where morning commutes, including children walking to school,
would take place in the pre-dawn hours.
In 1974, the entire country went on DST during that energy
crisis, to conserve energy. Some savings were achieved, though
the agricultural sector in particular complained that being on
DST caused them to have to work an extra hour in the dark, as
their days begin earlier. That experiment with year round DST
lasted less than a full year.
This resolution asks Congress to support legislation to provide
states with the authority to impose year round DST (many
regions, including Arizona, Hawaii and the eastern portion of
Indiana observe year round standard time under the current
discretion granted to states). The resolution does not effect
the change to state authority, nor does granting of the
authority automatically mean California would shift to year
round DST.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Hunt, Ortmann, Blasco, Palffy & Rossell, Inc.
Pri-Vest-Bank
Law Office of Howard L. Hoffenberg
8 individuals
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Kelly Boyd / E. C. & A. / (916)
319-2083