Nevada Legislators Hit Snooze on ‘Lock the Clock’ Bill

Time Change Freedom Stalls in Carson City

The clock ran out on Nevada’s chance to join Arizona in keeping the same time all year long. A bill that would have let Nevada stay on standard time forever got stopped in its tracks when it missed a key deadline in the state legislature.

Assembly Bill 81 passed the Nevada Assembly with a 27-15 vote back on April 17. But then it got stuck in the Senate and never made it to another committee hearing before time ran out.

Seven Ways the Time Change Tug-of-War Affects You

1. Morning Confusion: Your body clock gets thrown off twice yearly when government says “change your clocks!”
2. Freedom Rollback: While Arizona enjoys time change independence, Nevada’s attempt to break free just got rejected.
3. Wallet Watch: Businesses face extra costs adjusting to time changes, costs that eventually hit your pocketbook.
4. Health Hazards: Studies show heart attacks spike after time changes – your family’s health at stake for a government rule.
5. Cross-Border Chaos: If passed, Nevada would have been an hour different from California during summer – highlighting how government time meddling creates regional confusion.
6. Sleep Theft: The spring forward literally takes an hour of sleep from every Nevadan – authorized by government decree.
7. Constitutional Question: Nowhere does the Constitution give federal government power to control your clock – yet here we are.

Why This Matters to Conservatives

For folks who believe in limited government, this bill touched on a core value – freedom from unnecessary rules. The government telling us to change our clocks twice a year is exactly the kind of top-down mandate that makes many conservatives question government overreach.

Many supporters of the bill believe families and businesses can figure out their own schedules without twice-yearly government-ordered time shifts.

The health impacts also matter. Studies show that shifting clocks leads to more heart attacks, workplace accidents, and car crashes in the days after a time change. When government rules hurt public health, conservatives rightly question their value.

What Would Have Changed

If the bill had passed, Nevada would have joined Arizona and Hawaii in staying on standard time year-round starting in 2026. This means Nevada would have been one hour behind California and other Pacific states during the summer months when they spring forward.

Federal law currently doesn’t allow states to make daylight saving time permanent, but it does allow them to opt out completely and stay on standard time all year.

What Critics Say

Those against the bill worried about being out of sync with neighboring California. They argued it would confuse tourists and complicate business dealings across state lines.

Opponents testified before the legislature that maintaining alignment with major economic centers surrounding Nevada was important for business continuity.

Some also claimed more evening daylight in summer is good for tourism and outdoor activities, which boost Nevada’s economy.

A Bipartisan Issue

Interestingly, this wasn’t just a one-party effort. Republican State Senator Robin Titus had introduced a similar measure in the Senate, showing that time change freedom crosses party lines.

Democratic lawmaker Selena La Rue Hatch sponsored the Assembly bill that almost made it through. Her argument focused on health impacts rather than government overreach, but the end goal was the same – getting rid of disruptive clock changes.

What’s Next for Time Freedom?

The bill’s failure this session doesn’t mean the fight is over. Conservative Nevadans who want freedom from government time mandates can:

1. Contact state lawmakers to support similar legislation in the next session
2. Join with like-minded citizens in neighboring states to build regional momentum
3. Push for federal action – Congress could change the law to give states more options
4. Raise awareness about the health and safety impacts of forced time changes

The twice-yearly clock change remains one of those rare issues where people from across the political spectrum often find common ground. For conservatives, it represents a chance to push back against unnecessary government control over daily life.

Until Nevada or federal lawmakers act, remember to set your clocks back this November and forward again next March – because the government says so.

This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.