‘Ditch the switch’: Oregon to consider bill making Pacific Standard Time permanent
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Joining a coalition of western states, Oregon is set to consider a bill that would make Pacific Standard Time permanent amid calls to end Daylight Saving Time.
Oregon state Sen. Kim Thatcher of Keizer announced plans to introduce Senate Bill 1548 when the state’s legislative session begins on Feb. 5.
The bill comes after Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho formed a workgroup to propose legislation that would make Pacific Standard Time permanent.
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“Oregonians have long-expressed their desire to stop changing the clock,” Sen. Thatcher said. “Some prefer keeping daylight saving time over standard time, and many don’t care which – they just want to stop changing the clock.”
Thatcher continued, “Since daylight saving time is just not possible without congressional approval, and after waiting five years for Congress to approve a DST bill that passed here in Oregon in 2019, standard time has become a common-sense choice for 2024 and doesn’t need approval from Congress. Research also shows standard time is the healthier choice! I’m grateful to have the privilege of working with our surrounding states as they, too, introduce bills to ditch the switch!”
In Washington state, lawmakers held a public hearing for their Pacific Standard Time Bill, SB 5795, on Tuesday.
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“If there is one issue most people agree on, it’s the dislike of moving their clocks from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring and then back to standard time in the fall,” said Washington state Sen. Mike Padden of Spokane Valley. “There have been scientific studies connecting several health problems with switching back and forth between standard time and daylight saving time, including greater risks of heart attacks and more frequent workplace injuries. This bill would allow Washington to finally ‘ditch the switch’ by keeping us on standard time permanently.”
Similar legislation is awaiting a hearing in California, and Idaho’s bill is moving to a House committee in the next 10 days, officials said.
“California voters are tired of disruptive time changes that have outlived their usefulness,” said California Assemblyman Tri Ta. “I am honored to join this multi-state coalition, and I know that this will make a difference to promote the health of the people of California and across the American West.”
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In 2023, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden was among other lawmakers who introduced a bill to keep the clocks the same year-round.
“It’s time to put a stop to the twice-a-year time-change madness,” Wyden said. “Science and common sense show that more year-round daylight would improve our health, help kids spend a bit more time enjoying outdoor after-school activities, and encourage folks to support local businesses while on a sunny stroll in their communities.”
In 2019, former Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent for Oregon residents — but only if the neighboring states of California and Washington enacted the rule.
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