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HB 1013 — Daylight Saving Time
by Reps. Nunez and Fitzenhagen, and others (CS/CS/SB 858 by Commerce and Tourism Committee; Community Affairs Committee; and Senators Steube, Mayfield and Taddeo)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Community Affairs Committee (CA)
The Uniform Time Act of 1966 defines Daylight Saving Time (DST) as the advancement of time by one hour from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. Specifically, clocks are moved forward from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. in spring, and they are moved back from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. in fall. The act preempts state and local law regulating the observance of DST in any manner inconsistent with federal law. However, states may exempt themselves from observing DST and instead observe standard time year-round by passing a state law if:
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The entire state lies within a single time zone and the exemption applies statewide; or
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The state lies in more than one time zone and the exemption applies to the entire state or to the entire part of the state within one time zone.
Currently, DST is not observed in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and most of Arizona.
While states may exempt themselves from observing DST and remain on standard time year-round, they may not remain on the “spring forward” time change in March without making the corresponding “fall back” time change in October unless the United States Congress changes federal law.
HB 1013 creates the Sunshine Protection Act, which provides that the Legislature intends to adopt DST as the year-round standard time if the United States Congress amends 15 U.S.C. s. 260a, relating to Daylight Saving Time. Because a current Florida Legislature may not bind a future Florida Legislature, even if the United States Congress amends 15 U.S.C. s. 260a, further action may be required by the Florida Legislature to adopt DST as the year-round standard time in Florida.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2018.
Vote: Senate 33-2; House 103-11