Lawmaker cites stroke, heart‑attack spikes and road risks in push to study clock changes

A lawmaker told the committee he has heard reports that ischemic strokes and heart attacks increase in the period immediately after clock changes and said that health evidence is a primary reason to study whether the state should end twice‑yearly clock shifts.

"We have ischemic strokes and an increased number of heart attacks," the lawmaker said when describing the reported health effects and said he did not have the studies on hand but expects the study committee to gather and review peer‑reviewed research.

He framed the health concerns alongside road‑safety anecdotes, saying recent traffic accidents and a fatal wreck underscored the urgency of examining whether shifting clocks contributes to sleep deprivation and increased accidents. The transcript records the claims as assertions by the lawmaker; no medical experts or studies were presented in the committee hearing itself.