Representative Price urges study of ending twice‑yearly clock changes; committee approves study

Representative Price asked the State Planning & Community Affairs committee to create a study committee to examine whether the state should stop changing clocks twice a year and instead remain on a single time year‑round. He cited historical law — the 1918 Standard Time Act and the 1966 Uniform Time Act — and told members that Georgia currently spends about eight months on daylight saving time and four months on standard time.

Price told the committee the aim of the study would be to collect medical and traffic data, hear from experts and affected stakeholders, and weigh options such as reverting to Eastern Standard Time or adopting permanent daylight saving time. “It’s definitely worth the study,” he said, adding that if the committee is approved “we would do it properly” by calling witnesses including doctors and traffic‑safety experts.

With another committee due in the room, Representative Burskin moved to pass the request to form a study committee; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The chair said the committee could hold hearings on the matter this summer, and Price said he hoped to take the option to a House vote after the study.

Why it matters: The study could inform choices affecting schools, commuters, seniors in care facilities and interstate business schedules. Lawmakers framed the request as data‑driven: several members cited reported spikes in accidents and short‑term health impacts after clock changes and asked the study to assemble the evidence before making a policy recommendation.