Committee backs bill to stop twice-yearly clock shifts, move Utah toward permanent standard time

The House committee voted unanimously to favorably recommend House Bill 120, which would end Utah’s twice-yearly clock changes by putting the state on permanent standard time unless federal law later authorizes a different national approach.

Sponsor Representative Lisonbee told the committee the bill does not advocate for daylight saving time but instead gives Utah control: "This bill simply solves a very simple problem ... the majority of Utahns want us to stop moving the clocks," he said, adding the measure moves to standard time until Congress acts on a nationwide daylight-saving change.

Why it matters: The bill would stop the spring and fall clock changes that citizens, parents and some health experts say disrupt sleep and routines. Opponents and some businesses warned of economic impacts tied to reduced evening daylight for activities such as golf.

Committee discussion and testimony

Sponsor explanation. Representative Lisonbee (presenting the measure as Joe Ellison introduced the bill to the committee) said the statute change is narrowly focused: it would place Utah on standard time permanently, with an option to switch later if Congress passes national daylight-saving legislation. He reviewed the Uniform Time Act of 1966 and federal limits on state changes.

Supporters. Parents and sleep-advocacy groups spoke in favor. Jay P. (who identified himself online as the president of Safe Standard Time and co-chair of the Coalition For Permanent Standard Time) said permanent standard time improves sleep for children and workers and is endorsed by medical societies. “Permanent Standard Time is the honest to god sundial time where 12 PM corresponds roughly to high noon,” he said.

Concerns and industry input. Ryan Peterson, representing the Golf Alliance for Utah, said many rounds and leagues occur in summer evenings and said moving to permanent standard time would shorten playable daylight hours after work and could hurt the golf economy. He said he would support permanent daylight time if federal action made that possible.

Procedural and timing questions. A member asked whether the bill could take effect immediately; the sponsor said the draft sets an effective date in 2026 so the state would not flip mid-year but said he was open to changes if the committee wished.

Committee action and votes

Motion to recommend. Representative Malloy moved to favorably recommend House Bill 120; the motion passed unanimously.

What the bill does (as explained in committee)

- Puts Utah on permanent standard time (the bill’s language indicates the change is effective in a later year as drafted). - Provides that if federal law later allows states to adopt permanent daylight time, Utah could coordinate accordingly; state statute cannot unilaterally put the state on permanent daylight time without Congressional action under the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

Details and context

- Sponsor cited history: the Uniform Time Act (1966) and later federal changes make clear Congress controls permanent national time changes. Utah’s prior 2020 plan contemplated regional coordination, but federal action is required to make daylight time permanent nationwide. - Public commenters stressed different priorities: sleep and public-safety advocates favored permanent standard time; some business and recreation groups, including the golf industry, raised economic and scheduling concerns.

Next steps

The committee forwarded House Bill 120 with a favorable recommendation to the full House.