Bill Text: VA HJR588 | 2019 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Daylight saving time; Secretary of Commerce and Trade to study the effects on the Commonwealth.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-05 - Left in Rules [HJR588 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR588-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has fully participated in the observance of daylight saving time by turning clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall since 1967, with implementation of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. §260 et seq.); and
WHEREAS, not all states observe daylight saving time; the states of Arizona and Hawaii and several territories of the United States have chosen not to observe daylight saving time; and
WHEREAS, recent studies have shown that daylight saving time does not lead to energy savings and may even lead to an average increase in energy consumption; and
WHEREAS, additional studies have shown that participation in daylight saving time may lower productivity and increase the risk of traffic accidents and heart attacks; and
WHEREAS, many farmers contend that they have never benefited from and so continue to oppose observance of daylight saving time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretary of Commerce and Trade be requested to study the effects of daylight saving time on the Commonwealth.
In conducting his study, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall (i) review the effect of the Commonwealth's continued participation under the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. §260 et seq.), (ii) determine the potential consequences of a decision to use standard time year-round in the Commonwealth, (iii) determine the potential consequences of a decision to use daylight saving time year-round in the Commonwealth, and (iv) review other related issues and make recommendations as appropriate.
All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade for this study, upon request.
The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall complete his meetings by November 30, 2019, and shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of his findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2020 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Secretary of Commerce and Trade intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of his findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
