Not enough time to debate daylight saving time in Utah House

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives began debate Wednesday on a closely-watched bill that would ditch daylight saving time and keep the Beehive state on the same time all year long.

But ironically, there wasn’t enough time to take a vote.

With the noon lunch hour approaching, lawmakers voted to pause and resume discussion on HB120 later to give everyone a chance to speak who wants to. The House is set to convene again Thursday at 11 a.m.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Elison, R-Toquerville, would keep Utah on standard time year-round until federal law changes and allows Utah to observe daylight time.

“Our constituents by a very, very large percentage – we’re talking between 75 to 80% of Utahns – have said fanatically, year over year, 'We want to stop moving our clocks,'” Elison said.

The Utah Legislature passed a law in 2020 that would put the Beehive state on year-round mountain daylight time if Congress approved it and if at least four western states agreed to do the same thing.

So far, that hasn’t happened. Elison said his bill will allow Utah to stop switching times every six months.

Rep. Thomas Peterson, R-Brigham City, told his colleagues he would reluctantly support HB120 because his constituents do, but he has concerns with going to standard time and having the sun set earlier in the summer.

Peterson said he has two jobs involving a lot of outside work, and he has a child who plays sports.

“This will adversely affect my ability to get that work done,” Peterson said. “It will also affect my kid’s ability to play lacrosse.”

Other lawmakers spoke in support of the bill, including Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden.

“Please vote for the bill,” Wilcox said. “Please stop switching, whatever we do.”

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