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Panel OKs bill to keep Kansas on permanent standard time, conditional on neighboring action
Summary
The committee voted to advance Senate Bill 1 to set the state on permanent standard time (effectively opting out of daylight-saving time), but adopted a conceptual amendment making the effective switch conditional on Missouri taking similar action and adjusted the effective implementation timing to the November following that trigger.
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs voted to advance Senate Bill 1, which would place the state on permanent standard time starting the November following enactment, with an amendment conditioning the change on Missouri adopting similar legislation.
Jason, a staff member, explained that federal law requires the seasonal switch between standard time and daylight-saving time but allows states to opt out of the daylight-saving switch and remain on permanent standard time year‑round. Senate Bill 1 would opt the state out of the daylight-saving switch beginning in November 2025, unless amended; the committee adopted a conceptual amendment so the effective change would occur only if Missouri enacted similar legislation, addressing cross‑border coordination concerns in the Kansas City area.
Senator Francisco proposed a further conceptual amendment to make the effective date the Sunday in November following the effective enactment trigger (rather than a specific year); staff said that change was a conforming edit given the Missouri‑conditional amendment, and the committee adopted it. Senators raised practical concerns about cross-border effects for counties in Mountain Time, students who cross state lines for school, and local businesses that operate across state borders. Senator Tyson expressed opposition citing impacts on western counties in Mountain Time and broader cross-state complications; Senator Gossage and others said the bill signals the state's intent and can sit until neighbors act.
The committee took voice votes on the conceptual amendments and then on moving the bill favorably as amended; the chair called the question and announced that Senate Bill 1 was "heading out." The transcript does not include a full roll-call tally in the excerpt.
