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H 140

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME – Repeals and adds to existing law to exempt the State of Idaho from Daylight Saving Time.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Idaho H 140 would permanently exempt Idaho from Daylight Saving Time in all parts, with implementation tied to neighboring states' exemptions and possible federal changes.

Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
#daylightsavingstime #federallawsandrelations #government #health
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Bill Summary · H 140

Idaho H 140 — Daylight Saving Time Exemption

Overview

  • Bill: H 140
  • Title: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME – Repeals and adds to existing law to exempt the State of Idaho from Daylight Saving Time
  • Introduced: February 4, 2025
  • Status: Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
  • Primary aim: Eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes in Idaho and align with neighboring states that may enact similar exemptions.

Fiscal and Administrative Note

  • Fiscal impact: No anticipated fiscal impact to state or local governments; the measure does not create or fund programs or require new expenditures.
  • Source: Fiscal Note attached to the bill (Statement of Purpose / FN).

What the Bill Does

  • Repeals Idaho’s existing Daylight Saving Time framework (Chapter 96, Title 67, Idaho Code).
  • Adds two new exemptions:
    • Section 73-123 Idaho Code: Exempts the portion of Idaho in the Mountain Time Zone from the federal Daylight Saving Time requirement (15 U.S.C. 260a). If Congress enacts legislation to mandate permanent DST, Idaho would conform to that federal law.
    • Section 73-124 Idaho Code: Exempts the portion of Idaho in the Pacific Time Zone from the federal Daylight Saving Time requirement, with the same conforming provision if federal law changes.
  • Contingent effective dates:
    • Section 73-123 (Mountain Time Zone portion): Becomes effective the first January 1 after/with the effectuation of an exemption in the Oregon Mountain Time Zone.
    • Section 73-124 (Pacific Time Zone portion): Becomes effective the first January 1 after/with the effectuation of an exemption in the Washington Pacific Time Zone.

Key Provisions and Intent

  • Legislative intent statements emphasize:
    • Clocks changing twice yearly disrupt health, safety, education, and economy.
    • Federal law allows states to observe permanent Standard Time as an alternative to biannual clock changes.
    • Historical concerns about permanent Daylight Saving Time and support for permanent Standard Time by major sleep and chronobiology organizations.
    • Standard Time more closely aligns with natural solar time.
    • State should coordinate with neighboring states for commerce.

Who Is Affected

  • Idaho residents and activities in both time zones within Idaho (Mountain Time Zone portion and Pacific Time Zone portion).
  • Businesses, schools, and transportation sectors that rely on consistent local time.
  • Cross-border commerce and regional coordination with Oregon and Washington (time-keeping alignment contingent on neighboring states’ actions).

Federal Law Interaction and Timing

  • The bill requires Idaho to exempt from DST unless Congress acts to mandatorily set permanent DST in a majority of states, in which case Idaho would conform to that federal law.
  • Effective dates depend on Oregon and Washington exemptions, creating a staged/conditional implementation timeline.

Procedural Notes

  • Introduced 02/04/2025; referred to Joint Rules for Printing, then printed and referred to State Affairs.
  • No fiscal impact identified; standard legislative process applies for approval and potential future alignment with federal changes.

Summary

Idaho H 140 seeks to permanently exempt Idaho from Daylight Saving Time in both its Mountain and Pacific Time Zone portions, with a plan to align with any federal move toward permanent DST. The bill emphasizes health, safety, and economic considerations, calls for coordination with neighboring states, and sets contingent implementation dates tied to exemptions in Oregon and Washington.

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

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