x
Breaking News
More () »

New California bill hopes to cut Daylight saving and move to Standard time

This legislation, supported by the California Medical Association, would eliminate Daylight saving time. It's a move that not all San Diegans are in favor of.

SAN DIEGO — As we get ready to move our clocks forward one hour this weekend, there's momentum growing to get rid of this twice-yearly time change altogether. 

Daylight saving time 2024

There is disagreement over which direction we should take: either Daylight saving or Standard time. Daylight saving in 2024 starts Sunday March 10, 2024 at 2 a.m.

Newly proposed state legislation aims to repeal Daylight saving time and put California permanently on Standard time: but not everyone is 'springing forward' in support of this idea.   

"This is like a hill I would die on," said San Diegan Sarah Giovannotto. "Daylight saving time -  we love it!" 

Giovannotto  is passionate about Daylight Saving Time, especially the extra sunlight it offers in the evenings. 

"The majority of people I know are against the time change and for permanent Daylight Saving Time," she added, "so I don't know what the hold up is, honestly."

Much of the hold-up lies with lawmakers on both the state and federal levels.

In November 2018, California voters passed Prop 7, a measure that would allow the state legislature to change Daylight saving time by either keeping it year-round or getting rid of it altogether.

However, this measure also requires approval by the U.S. Congress if California were to opt for year-round Daylight Saving Time. 

So far, nothing has materialized.

"I am really, really passionate about this bill," said State Assembly Member Tri Ta, who added it  is finally time to listen to the will of the voters. 

He has drafted new legislation that to do away with twice-yearly time changes. 

However, his bill would put the Golden State onto year-round Standard time: a move that would not require federal action.

Oregon and Washington state  are also considering similar moves.  

"If my bill is passed, we do not need congressional approval," Ta told CBS 8, "so that's a win-win for everyone."

Many San Diegans don't see switching to standard time as a winning idea, though.

"We pay a lot of money to be here in the sunshine," said San Diegan Cynthia Spaulding.

"Then we'd miss out on all those extra hours of sunlight," added Linda Nealon, "so I don't think that's a great idea." 

"That  extra light helps your mental health," said Giovannotto. "It helps you just feel really good."

Ta said that his bill has the support of the California Medical Association, as well as sleep experts who say Standard time syncs better with our natural clocks.

"So why don't we go along with science?" Ta added. "That's what I believe."

One things most people seem to agree on: it's time to stop changing our clocks, which research has shown leads to higher rates of accidents as well as increased health risks.

"It takes so long just to get used to it," added Giovannotto. "It's a pain for so many people."

While this new bill continues to work its way through Sacramento, Daylight saving time is still a go here in California, starting 2 a.m. Sunday, when we set our clocks forward one hour.

   

WATCH RELATED: Is it time to keep Daylight Saving on a year-round basis?

Before You Leave, Check This Out