The Utah Senate Business and Labor Standing Committee voted to table H.B. 120, a bill proposing amendments to time change laws, during a meeting on Feb. 19, 2025. The decision to stall the legislation follows a contentious session that included testimony from various industry lobbyists and residents regarding the state's observance of daylight saving time.
Committee Deliberations and Vote
The legislative action occurred during a session chaired by Senator Evan J. Vickers. While Senator Daniel McCay initially moved to pass the bill out favorably, the committee ultimately approved a substitute motion to table the legislation. The motion to table H.B. 120 passed with a vote of 7-1-0.
Voices in Support of Change
The debate over H.B. 120 drew a wide array of perspectives from both supporters and opponents. In favor of the bill were resident Dustin James Harper, speech language pathologist Karen Straw, and Jay Pea, the founder and president of Save Standard Time. These proponents advocated for the amendments despite significant industry pushback.
Industry Opposition to H.B. 120
The opposition to the time change amendments was led by several prominent organizations and industry representatives. Taz Biesinger, a lobbyist for the Utah Homebuilders Association, and Matt Marziale, Director of the Utah Recreation and Parks Association, both spoke against the bill. Additionally, Wade Garrett, Vice President of the Utah Farm Bureau, and Tyson Roberts, also a Vice President of the Utah Farm Bureau, expressed opposition to the measure.
Golf Industry Concerns
The Utah Golf Alliance also provided testimony against the legislation. Represented by lobbyist Ryan Peterson, the organization expressed its opposition to the proposed changes. The alliance, which was formed in 2013 to protect the economic and environmental assets of golf in Utah, maintains a legislative presence to advocate for the industry's interests.
Economic Impact of Utah Golf
The economic significance of the golf industry in Utah was highlighted by the Golf Alliance for Utah. According to the organization, the state's golf industry had a total economic impact of $2.1 billion in 2023, supporting 19,200 jobs and generating $1 billion in wage income. The group notes that the industry is a vital component of Utah's tourism, providing activity outside of the peak ski season and supporting communities from the Wasatch Front to St. George and Moab.
Federal Time Regulations
The discussion surrounding H.B. 120 is framed by existing federal regulations regarding time changes. Under 15 U.S. Code § 260a, the United States government establishes the standard time for different zones. The law dictates that standard time is advanced by one hour from the second Sunday of March until the first Sunday of November. This federal statute explicitly supersedes any state or political subdivision laws that attempt to provide different changeover dates.
State Exemption Frameworks
The federal law provides an exemption for states that lie entirely within a single time zone, allowing them to observe standard time year-round. For states with parts in more than one time zone, the law allows for exemptions of either the entire state or specific areas within a particular time zone. The current federal schedule for daylight saving time was modified by legislation in 2005, which moved the start date from the first Sunday of April to the second Sunday of March.
