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Committee hears bill to ask Georgia voters whether to change daylight saving time policy
Summary
Representative West Cantrell presented HB 709 (LC460236S), seeking a nonbinding referendum on this fall's ballot to gauge whether Georgians prefer staying on standard time, moving to year‑round daylight saving time (pending congressional approval), or keeping the current system; members asked for more outreach and business testimony.
Representative West Cantrell told the House Committee on State Planning & Community Affairs that HB 709 (LC460236S) would place a nonbinding referendum on the ballot this fall to let Georgia voters state a preference on daylight saving time policy. "I'm asking you to consider a nonbinding referendum," Cantrell said, adding the question would let lawmakers hear from Georgians before proposing statutory change.
Cantrell said the referendum is intended to clarify public preference because the state currently lacks unilateral authority to move to year‑round daylight saving time without congressional approval. He said he would return with enabling legislation next session if voters express a clear preference. Chair Pruitt and several members stressed the panel should educate voters before placing the question on the ballot, and the committee did not vote on the bill during this hearing.
