Repeals and adds to existing law to exempt the State of Idaho from Daylight Saving Time.
Summary
House Bill 140 would repeal Idaho’s existing daylight saving time chapter and replace it with new provisions exempting Idaho from daylight saving time in both the Mountain Time Zone and Pacific Time Zone portions of the state. The bill states legislative findings that the twice-yearly clock change is disruptive to health, safety, education, and the economy, and it cites sleep and biological rhythm organizations in support of permanent standard time. It also notes that standard time better reflects natural solar time and that coordination with neighboring states matters for commerce.
The bill is structured to take effect only when neighboring states make related changes. The Mountain Time Zone portion of Idaho would become exempt after Oregon’s Mountain Time Zone area exempts itself from daylight saving time, while the Pacific Time Zone portion would become exempt after Washington does the same. In both sections, Idaho would also conform to any future federal law that mandates permanent daylight saving time in a majority of states, preserving alignment with federal action if Congress changes the national framework.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would repeal Chapter 96, Title 67, Idaho Code, and add new sections 73-123 and 73-124 to Title 73, creating a statewide exemption from daylight saving time for Idaho’s Mountain and Pacific time zone regions. The practical effect would be to move Idaho toward year-round standard time, subject to the bill’s contingency triggers tied to Oregon and Washington. It would affect state timekeeping law, businesses, schools, transportation, and other activities that rely on consistent time coordination, while leaving room for conformity with future federal daylight saving time legislation.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose and findings reflect a strongly favorable view of ending seasonal clock changes and favoring permanent standard time. The committee materials provided do not include recorded debate or votes, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or amendment activity in the supplied record. Based on the text alone, the measure appears motivated by health, safety, and economic concerns and by a desire to align Idaho with neighboring states when possible.
Contention
The main policy tension in the bill is between permanent standard time and permanent daylight saving time, with the bill clearly choosing the former and citing medical and safety organizations to support that choice. Another point of contention is interstate coordination: the bill delays implementation until Oregon and Washington act, reflecting concern about commerce and time-zone consistency across state lines. The contingency on future federal law also suggests sensitivity to possible national changes, but no specific opponents or supporters are identified in the provided materials.