Committee advances bill to make daylight saving time permanent pending congressional approval

Representative Wes Cantrell told the State Planning & Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 28 that HB 44 would move Georgia to permanent daylight saving time if Congress grants states the authority to choose that option.

Cantrell, the bill sponsor, framed the proposal as an effort to eliminate the twice-yearly clock change and cited research he said links springing clocks forward and back to higher rates of fatal car crashes, pedestrian collisions and health effects. "HB 44 would take Georgia to permanent daylight saving time pending congressional approval," Cantrell said, adding he would provide the committee with the underlying studies upon request.

Members pressed Cantrell on several operational questions. One lawmaker urged the sponsor to consult the military and aviation stakeholders, warning that legacy military systems and airport scheduling could be affected by piecemeal state changes; the member said those risks were about systems integration rather than military competence. Cantrell responded he had not spoken to every branch but was confident systems could adapt and noted that other states and regions have adopted similar measures.

Committee discussion also addressed potential costs and IT impacts; Cantrell said witnesses from IT testified last year that there may be a small one-time cost to adjust systems but long-term savings and stability thereafter. He also said state and industry groups such as the Georgia Farm Bureau support ending the clock change. After debate the committee made a motion, took a voice vote and the chair declared the ayes have it; one member announced a nay. The committee voted to pass HB 44 to the next stage.

Next steps: if HB 44 progresses it will await any congressional action required to permit states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, then proceed through the normal legislative process in both chambers and to the governor if enacted.