Urging the Congress of the United States to require all states to permanently observe daylight saving time year-round.
Impact
If passed, HR349 could have significant implications for state laws concerning time regulation. The elimination of clock changes would aim to reduce negative effects such as increased traffic accidents, schedule disruptions, and health issues related to the time shift. Additionally, the bill asserts that maintaining a consistent time could lead to various societal benefits, such as decreased health risks and increased economic activities resulting from more usable evening daylight.
Summary
House Resolution 349 (HR349) urges the United States Congress to require all states to permanently observe daylight saving time year-round. This resolution stems from the historical context of daylight saving time, which was first authorized during World War I and II to save energy. The bill highlights the current practice where states can choose not to observe daylight saving time, yet cannot do so year-round without federal approval. The resolution is a response to the growing number of states favoring the elimination of biannual clock changes due to its associated disruptions.
Contention
The resolution acknowledges that many states have expressed a preference to abandon the switching of clocks, though it does not detail opposition. Some potential contention points could arise from the impact on states with agricultural schedules or those with historical adherence to standard time, bringing into question how local customs and practices would adapt to such a federal mandate. It is also possible that discussions around energy conservation could present a balanced debate over the bill's potential economic effects.
Relating to observing standard time year-round and authorizing a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving time year-round.
Exempting the state of Kansas from daylight saving time but providing for moving to permanent daylight saving time upon an act of Congress requiring such move.
Amending the act of April 13, 1887 (P.L.21, No.18), entitled "An act for the establishment of a uniform standard of time throughout the Commonwealth," observing daylight saving time year-around if authorized by the Congress of the United States.
Exempting the state of Kansas from daylight saving time but providing for moving to permanent daylight saving time upon an act of Congress requiring such move.
Modifying the elements of the crime of blackmail related to threatened dissemination of any image, video or other recording of another identifiable person who is nude or engaged in sexual activity by changing the connection to breach of privacy and describing the content of the image, video or other recording.