This bill would eliminate daylight saving time in New York State and make standard time the year-round time used throughout the state. It amends the General Construction Law to remove the current statutory language that advances clocks in the spring and returns them in the fall, and instead states that New York is exempt from the federal Uniform Time Act provisions that establish daylight saving time. The bill also directs that no state, county, city, or other local government entity may adopt a different time standard.
The bill further makes conforming changes to the Public Service Law so that utility rate provisions refer only to standard time rather than both standard and daylight saving time. It also repeals a New York City Administrative Code section relating to daylight saving time. The measure would take effect on January 1, 2026, if enacted.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would change New York’s legal timekeeping rules by ending the seasonal clock change and establishing permanent standard time statewide. It would amend the General Construction Law, the Public Service Law, and repeal a New York City provision, thereby affecting how courts, public officers, utilities, and local governments reference time in official proceedings, rate schedules, and local ordinances. The bill would also align state law with a permanent standard-time framework and remove statutory references to daylight saving time.
Sentiment
The available context suggests a straightforward, policy-driven proposal with no recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials. The bill title and text indicate a clear intent to eliminate daylight saving time, which typically appeals to supporters of permanent standard time and those seeking to avoid biannual clock changes. Because there are no transcripts or vote records here, there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction.
Contention
The main point of contention inherent in the bill is the elimination of daylight saving time itself, which would replace the current twice-yearly time change with year-round standard time. Potential concerns may include how the change would affect business operations, transportation schedules, utility billing, and coordination with neighboring states or federal time practices. The bill also raises a federalism issue by invoking New York’s exemption under the Uniform Time Act, though the provided materials do not show any specific legislator or stakeholder voicing objections or support.