Exempts the State of Nevada from provisions of federal law relating to daylight saving time. (BDR 19-23)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carrie Buck and 11 co-sponsors

Nevada would stay on Pacific Standard Time year-round, exempting itself from federal daylight saving time changes.

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.3, no further action allowed.)

AB 81 — Exempts Nevada from federal daylight saving time provisions (BDR 19-23)

Summary
This bill would have authorized Nevada to opt out of the federal daylight saving time (DST) schedule and observe Pacific Standard Time (PST) year‑round. Under existing federal law (15 U.S.C. § 260a), a state may, by state law, exempt itself and its political subdivisions from the annual one‑hour advance to DST; AB 81 invoked that option for Nevada.

Key provisions
- Adds a new section to Chapter 234 of the Nevada Revised Statutes:
- Subsection 1: Nevada exempts itself from the federal requirement (15 U.S.C. § 260a(a)) that clocks advance by one hour beginning at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and revert on the first Sunday in November.
- Subsection 2: During that period, Nevada and all its political subdivisions shall observe the standard time otherwise applicable to the State — i.e., Pacific Standard Time (solar time of the 120th meridian west) — year‑round.
- Effective date (as amended): January 1, 2026 (originally July 1, 2025; amendment changed the date to align with clock change cycles).
- Fiscal note: bill reports no fiscal effect on the State or local governments.

Who would be affected
- All Nevada residents and entities (state and local government agencies, schools, businesses).
- Sectors likely to be materially affected: transportation and logistics, hospitality and tourism (including casinos/resorts), education (school schedules), public safety and law enforcement, healthcare, utilities, and cross‑border/interstate commerce and coordination.
- Tribal governments and local jurisdictions within Nevada (the law applies to the State and all political subdivisions).

Stakeholder views and evidence in the record
- Supporters and exhibits (e.g., Nevada Public Health Association) cited public‑health and safety benefits of eliminating seasonal clock changes and preferred year‑round standard time to align with human circadian biology.
- Public commentary in committee exhibits included both support (health, sleep, safety) and concerns raised by citizens and industry stakeholders (darker winter mornings, possible impacts on tourism, commerce, and cross‑state coordination). Several suggested study commissions or broader analyses before changing policy.

Procedural and final status
- The bill passed both houses with amendments (first reprint and Assembly Amendment No. 68 changing the effective date).
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor on September 11, 2025.
- Vetoed by the Governor on October 11, 2025.
- (Note: federal law permits a state opt‑out without further congressional approval; practical impacts depend on neighboring states’ time‑observance choices.)

Implications
If implemented, the law would stop Nevada’s participation in DST transitions and keep clocks on PST year‑round, simplifying local timekeeping but potentially creating year‑round time differences with jurisdictions that retain DST — with operational effects across travel, commerce, broadcasting, and daily schedules. The bill did not appropriate funds; transition and implementation costs were expected to be minimal per the fiscal note.