S-0176.1
SENATE BILL 5001
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senators J. Wilson, Dhingra, Chapman, Conway, Fortunato, McCune, Nobles, Saldaña, and Warnick
Prefiled 12/02/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
AN ACT Relating to exempting the state of Washington from daylight saving time by implementing year-round Pacific standard time; amending RCW 1.20.050 , and 35A.21.190 ; amending 2019 c 297 s 4 (uncodified); creating a new section; repealing RCW 1.20.051 ; providing an effective date; providing a contingent effective date; and providing a contingent expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the state of Washington would benefit from the consistency and predictability of observing Pacific standard time throughout the calendar year. Research has shown that changing to and from daylight saving time twice per year has negative impacts on public health, increases traffic accidents and crime, disrupts agriculture scheduling, and hinders economic growth. Scientific studies have connected a number of health consequences with the act of switching between standard time and daylight saving time, including greater risks of heart attacks, more frequent workplace injuries, and increased suicide rates in the days immediately after the switch. The legislature passed Substitute House Bill No. 1196 in 2019 authorizing the state to observe daylight saving time year-round if authorized by the United States congress. However, congress has not amended federal law to authorize states to observe daylight saving time year-round. Therefore, the legislature intends to exercise the rights granted under the uniform time act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 260a(a), and exempt the state of Washington from daylight saving time and remain standard time year-round.
Sec. 2. RCW 1.20.050 and 1953 c 2 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: