SENATE MEMORIAL 27

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Cliff R. Pirtle

A MEMORIAL

URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.

     WHEREAS, since 2007, daylight saving time has begun on the second Sunday in March and has ended on the first Sunday in November; and

     WHEREAS, the United States first introduced daylight saving time in 1918, two years after Germany and other European countries started advancing the clocks to conserve fuel and energy during World War I; and

     WHEREAS, after World War II ended, communities and states had the option to decide whether they wanted to observe daylight saving time; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966 made daylight saving time standard across the country, and states are not allowed to choose daylight saving time year-round without congressional approval; and

     WHEREAS, changing clocks twice each year has a negative impact on the quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, fatal car accidents in the United States spike by six percent during the workweek following the "spring forward" to daylight saving time, according to university of Colorado Boulder research; and

     WHEREAS, mounting research has shown that spikes in heart attacks, strokes, seasonal depression and workplace injuries also occur in the days following the time change; and

     WHEREAS, changing the clocks upsets circadian sleep rhythms, intruding on the natural cycle that human bodies need for adequate rest; and

     WHEREAS, positive benefits of more daylight if daylight saving time were year round would mean more time for youth sports programs, family outings and finishing chores on farms and ranches; and

     WHEREAS, numerous states, including Oregon, Washington, California and Florida, are considering doing away with changing clocks twice each year entirely; and

     WHEREAS, a proposal for year-round daylight saving time would require the approval of the United States congress; and

     WHEREAS, congressional support to make daylight saving time permanent would end unnecessary confusion that harms Americans' health and the nation's economy;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States congress be urged to support permanent daylight saving time nationwide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the United States congress.

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