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On Friday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) introduced the DAYLIGHT Act, a bill to allow states to elect to observe year-round daylight saving time.

 

Additionally, the DAYLIGHT Act would include a Government Accountability Office (GAO) Study in which the Comptroller General would submit to Congress a report with the results of implementing daylight savings year-round no later than two years after enacted.  

 

Nineteen states, including South Carolina, have enacted legislation in favor of year-round daylight saving time. Current federal law only enables states to opt out of daylight saving time and keep standard time year-round. This bill would amend the current law to also include the option for states to have daylight saving time year round.

 

Research suggests an association between the time change and Seasonal Affective Disorder, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Permanent daylight saving time has the potential to decrease the risk of car accidents and crime while increasing consumer spending.

 

Rep. Norman said on Friday, “Disrupting our circadian rhythm twice a year has proven to do more harm than good. It is evident that health benefits and safety of Americans would be increased by giving states the freedom to opt into year-round daylight savings, as well as continuing the option of year round standard time."