Emergency medical services; designate ambulance services as an essential service
Summary
HB154, as substituted by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, is the Georgia Sunshine Protection Act. The bill directs the Governor to request that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation place Georgia in the Atlantic standard time zone by December 31, 2026, and, if approved, allows the state to observe Atlantic standard time year round. In practical terms, that would eliminate the biannual clock changes for Georgia and keep the state on a permanent time standard, subject to federal approval and the bill’s contingency provisions.
The bill also sets out legislative findings explaining why the General Assembly believes year-round daylight alignment would benefit commerce, recreation, family activities, and sleep, while reducing disruptions to transportation and school schedules. It further provides a fallback structure: if Congress later authorizes states to observe daylight saving time year round, Georgia would instead move to permanent daylight saving time under the federal framework. If Georgia is already placed in the Atlantic standard time zone before such federal authorization, the Governor must seek a return to the eastern standard time zone so the new federal rule can operate as intended.
Impact
The bill would amend Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by repealing the existing daylight saving time provision and replacing it with a new section governing Georgia’s time-zone policy. It would not change criminal, tax, or regulatory law broadly, but it would create a state-level directive for the Governor to petition the federal government and would condition Georgia’s observance of year-round time on federal approval and future congressional action. The affected parties would include state agencies, local governments, schools, businesses, transportation systems, and residents who would no longer change clocks seasonally if the federal request is approved.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill. It passed the House overwhelmingly by a 172-0 vote and later passed the Senate by substitute 43-4, indicating broad bipartisan acceptance of the general idea of ending seasonal clock changes. The bill’s findings frame the measure as a consumer- and commerce-friendly reform intended to improve daily life and reduce disruption.
Contention
The main point of contention is not whether Georgia should prefer a permanent time arrangement, but which permanent arrangement is legally and practically achievable. The bill relies on federal approval from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and, in some scenarios, future congressional authorization, so the timing and legality of implementation are central issues. Any disagreement would likely focus on whether Georgia should seek Atlantic standard time first as a pathway to permanent daylight saving time, and whether that approach best aligns with national transportation and economic systems.
Concerning emergency medical services provided in the state, and, in connection therewith, designating emergency medical services, including ambulance services and air ambulance services, to be essential services.