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Bill

SB 102

An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date.

34th Legislature (2025-2026)

Alaska bill exempts state from daylight saving time, establishing permanent year-round standard time to address extreme seasonal daylight variations and ongoing health/economic concerns.

(S) REFERRED TO RULES
#timezones
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 102

Legislative bill overview

SB 102 would exempt Alaska from observing daylight saving time, keeping the state on a single year-round time standard. The bill has advanced through the Senate State Affairs Committee with bipartisan support and is now under Rules consideration for potential floor debate.

Why is this important

Alaska's extreme seasonal daylight variation (near 24-hour daylight in summer, near 24-hour darkness in winter) makes daylight saving time particularly contentious. The bill addresses ongoing debate about whether time changes benefit or harm Alaskans' health, economy, and quality of life, while also affecting interstate commerce and federal compliance.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal compliance concerns: States can opt out of daylight saving time but must remain on standard time year-round under federal law, or choose to stay on daylight saving time permanently—this bill's exact compliance mechanism needs clarification
  • Economic and business impacts: Disagreement over how time standardization affects Alaska's tourism, trade with other time zones, and internal business operations
  • Health and circadian rhythm effects: Conflicting evidence on whether eliminating time changes or keeping them benefits sleep patterns and seasonal depression in Alaska's unique daylight environment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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