Nebraska bill introduced for year-round daylight savings time

No more “spring forward” or “fall back”

State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion introduced Legislative Bill 143 which proposes implementing year-round daylight savings time in Nebraska. If the bill is adopted, it would end the annual time change in March (“spring forward”) and November (“fall back”).

The bill had a hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 8 before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. The committee heard testimonies including written testimonies, 22 of which were in support, nine opposed, and one neutral. The committee voted to advance the bill in a 7-0 vote. 

The bill has received bipartisan support from senators including Megan Hunt of Omaha, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha and John Lowe of Kearney. During the hearing, Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha stated that the bill received more support from contacts with her office than any other pending legislation. 

The bill has faced opposition from The Nebraska Broadcasters Association who stated that the bill would disrupt their industry and result in “chaotic program scheduling” for TV and radio stations, leading to a reduced audience and loss of revenue, especially for programs with audiences across state lines. The president of the association, Jim Timm, said they would prefer federal action for uniformity.

LB 143 requires two events to take place before it can take effect. The first is that Congress must pass legislation that gives states the ability to keep daylight savings time year-round. Current federal law allows states to maintain standard time year round, but not daylight savings time.

The second requirement is that at least three neighboring states must adopt similar legislation. Both Wyoming and Colorado have passed the necessary laws, so Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri or Kansas need to adopt similar legislation for the Nebraska bill to move forward. All four of these states introduced legislation last year for the change, but none have passed. Currently, nineteen states nationwide have adopted legislation like LB 143.

Briese’s defense of the bill includes both economic and health concerns. He argues that adding an extra hour of sunlight during winter months could have economic benefits through increased consumer spending. Briese also argues that the bill will lead to public health benefits, citing research that indicates the switch to daylight savings time causes sleep loss leading to an increase in traffic accidents, workplace accidents and conditions like heart attacks.

By: Aubrey Benton