Committee gives HB 44 a 'do pass' recommendation to make daylight saving time permanent pending Congress

The State Planning & Community Affairs Committee voted on Jan. 28 to give House Bill 44 a "do pass" recommendation after Representative Wes Cantrell presented the measure to end twice-yearly clock changes.

Cantrell described HB 44 as a state-level commitment that would move Georgia to permanent daylight saving time only if and when Congress authorizes states to adopt daylight saving time year-round. "But to be clear on this, HB 44 would take Georgia to permanent daylight saving time pending congressional approval," Cantrell told the committee.

Members pressed Cantrell on likely interstate and operational consequences if neighboring states or the federal government do not act in concert. Cantrell argued the Southeast is already moving in the same direction and said stakeholders he contacted—education groups, chambers of commerce and the Georgia Farm Bureau—have generally supported the change.

After an extended question-and-answer period about health, commerce, military and IT implications, a committee member moved for a "do pass" recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The committee action is a committee-level recommendation; the bill would require further legislative steps and, per Cantrell’s presentation, congressional authorization before the state could implement permanent daylight saving time.