Panel debates plan to keep Georgia on daylight time by shifting to Atlantic standard time

A substitute version of House Bill 154 drew an extended committee debate after its sponsor proposed using a federal time-zone boundary petition to make Georgia effectively remain on daylight-saving hours year-round by moving the state into Atlantic Standard Time.

What the bill would do: The sponsor told the committee the bill directs the governor’s office to petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to adopt a time-zone boundary change that would place Georgia in Atlantic Standard Time. Under federal law, a state may seek a boundary change; if approved, the change would make Georgia’s clocks match daylight‑saving time year‑round without congressional action.

Arguments for the measure: Supporters emphasized health and sleep benefits tied to eliminating the biannual clock shift. The sponsor cited studies and long-standing medical concern about a short-term increase in heart attacks and other harms around clock changes and said the change would provide “an extra hour of sunshine at the end of every day.”

Concerns raised: Several senators questioned the proposal’s economic and practical effects if neighboring states do not follow suit. One member warned that schoolchildren might wait for buses in darker winter mornings if Georgia shifts without adjacent states, and others urged coordination across the Eastern Seaboard. Business scheduling and interstate commerce impacts drew repeated attention.

Committee response and next steps: Senators discussed whether leadership in nearby states could coordinate a regional change; the sponsor said he had spoken with representatives and leaders in Florida and South Carolina. Committee hand-counts of support during the session indicated majority backing in the room, but members asked for further consideration of cross-border logistics and implementation steps. The bill remains under committee consideration.