Bipartisan Push for Time Change Reform
In a show of bipartisan cooperation, Democratic Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch and Republican Senator Robin Titus have introduced parallel bills to end Nevada’s twice-yearly clock changes.
Both Assembly Bill 81 and Senate Bill 94 would move Nevada to permanent standard time, joining Arizona and Hawaii as the only states that don’t change their clocks.
Health Concerns Drive Legislation
La Rue Hatch has been vocal about the health implications of time changes, telling RJG:
“We see that there’s a lot of negative health effects when we switch the clocks either forward or back, including higher incidence of heart attacks, stroke, hospital admissions, car accidents and a whole lot more,”
These concerns are backed by research. A 2020 University of Colorado at Boulder study found fatal car accidents increase by 6% during the first week after spring time changes, resulting in approximately 28 deaths annually.
The British Medical Journal reported a 24% spike in heart attacks on the Monday after daylight saving time begins in spring, with a 21% decrease when clocks return to standard time in fall.
Senator Titus brings additional medical perspective to the debate as a family practice physician. Her experience in healthcare adds weight to the health-focused arguments for ending time changes.
The Bills in Detail
While both bills share the same goal of exempting Nevada from daylight saving time, they differ in implementation.
La Rue Hatch’s AB81 includes plans for a November transition to coincide with the scheduled “fall back,” while Titus’s SB94 currently maintains the standard July 1 effective date for new Nevada laws.
The choice of standard time over permanent daylight saving time is deliberate and practical.
Federal law only permits states to opt out of daylight saving time and remain on standard time, as Arizona and Hawaii have done. States cannot independently adopt year-round daylight saving time without congressional approval.
Rural Nevada Considerations
Titus’s bill addresses concerns from her rural constituents, as she represents parts of six rural Nevada counties. These areas would benefit from alignment with neighboring Arizona’s time zone, simplifying cross-border commerce and daily activities.
The consistency would particularly benefit agricultural communities, where work schedules often depend more on daylight than clock time.
Impact on Daily Life
If either bill passes, Nevadans would experience significant changes to their daily schedules:
- Summer sunrises before 5 a.m.
- Year-round time alignment with Arizona
- No more disruptive spring “forward” or fall “back” transitions
- Potential reduction in traffic accidents and health issues
Business Considerations
The change would affect Nevada’s tourism and gaming industries, particularly in Las Vegas, where summer daylight currently extends into prime evening hours. However, businesses could adjust their operating hours as needed, following Arizona’s successful model.
National Context
President-elect Trump has recently supported ending daylight saving time nationally, declaring it “inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.” Nevada’s bills would allow the state to act independently rather than waiting for federal action.
Similar bills are being considered in other state legislatures, including Kansas, showing growing national momentum for ending time changes.
Next Steps
Both bills will be considered as the 2025 Nevada Legislature convenes. The next scheduled time change comes March 9, 2025, adding urgency to the debate.
Nevadans can track both bills on the Nevada State Legislature website, including hearing dates and voting outcomes. For those supporting this effort to end time changes, contacting state representatives about AB81 and SB94 could help shape Nevada’s timekeeping future.
The bipartisan nature of this effort, combined with growing national support for ending time changes, suggests these bills could receive serious consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
