Existing state law, Proposition 7, an initiative measure approved by the voters at the November 6, 2018, statewide general election, sets the standard time for California and sets daylight saving time to begin each March and end each November, as specified. Proposition 7 authorizes the Legislature to amend these provisions by a ²/₃ vote to change the dates and times of the daylight saving time period, consistent with federal law, and authorizes the Legislature to amend these provisions by a ²/₃ vote to provide for the application of year-round daylight saving time when authorized by federal law.

This bill would repeal daylight saving time in the state and the provisions regarding the Legislatures authority to amend the above-described provisions by a ²/₃ vote. The bill would instead require the state and all political subdivisions of the state to observe year-round standard time. The bill would exempt the state and all political subdivisions of the state from the provisions of federal law that establish the advancement of time. If the federal government adopts year-long daylight saving time, the bill would require the state and all political subdivisions of the state to set time to conform with that adoption, as specified. The bill would make related findings and declarations.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

SB 1197 (Niello) - Permanent standard time

Bill Summary:

This bill would repeal Daylight Savings Time (DST). The bill would require, if the federal government adopts permanent DST, that the state to conform to that federal adoption.

Fiscal Impact:

• In the event that voters must approve the change proposed by this bill, it would result in one-time costs in the range of $738,000 to $984,000 (General Fund) to the Secretary of State (SOS) for printing and mailing costs to place a measure on the ballot in a statewide election. Actual costs could be higher or lower, depending on the length of required elements and the overall size of the ballot.

Background:

In California, DST (or “summer time”) is observed during the time of year when clocks “spring forward,” or between the second Sunday of March and first Sunday of November, consistent with federal law. Similarly, standard time (“winter time”) is observed during the time of year when clocks “fall back,” between the first Sunday of November and second Sunday of March.

Proposition 7. In 2018, AB 807 (Chu, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2018) placed a ballot measure before voters to make changes to the state’s observance of DST. Specifically, Proposition 7 (November 2018) which passed by 59.75% - 40.25% margin, allows the Legislature by 2 /3 vote to make future changes to California’s DST period, including applying year-round application of DST, if changes are consistent with federal law. Proposition 7 also conformed California DST to current federal law. To enact Proposition 7 the measure also repealed Proposition 12 of 1949, a ballot initiative that established DST in California.

Energy impacts unclear. Claims of energy savings underlie observance of DST during the spring and summer. The argument is that by springing the clock forward during the summer when there is more sunlight we can take advantage of natural light and use less energy or fuel. Yet, there is no clear evidence that DST results in energy savings and some evidence suggests the contrary. In 2008, the National Bureau of Economic Research released a study on the effectiveness of DST. The study sought to provide the first empirical estimates of DST effects on electricity consumption in the United States by focusing on residential electricity demand as far back as the mid-1970s. The bureau’s main finding was that, contrary to the intent of the policy, DST increases residential electricity demand by approximately one percent. According to the study, during DST, there is a tradeoff between the demand for electricity and the demand for heating and cooling. That is, as the demand for electricity is reduced, the demand for heating and cooling is increased. These findings estimate that DST increased cost of electricity to Indiana households by about $9 million per year. The study further speculates that this impact is likely to vary by region, with regions where demand for heating and cooling is greater experiencing a higher increase in electricity use. In 2007, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a study in response to the expansion of DST by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This study, titled “The Effect of Early Daylight Saving Time on California Electricity Consumption: A Statistical Analysis,” revealed that the “extension of DST to March 2007 had little or no effect on energy consumption in California, according to a statistical analysis. The most likely approximation is a .2% decrease during these three weeks.” The findings of the study in relation to energy savings of the changes to DST were largely inconclusive as the 95 percent confidence interval could result in a range of 1.5% energy savings to 1.4% increase in energy consumption.

Changing electricity generation sources. Since the 2007 CEC study, the state has increased its use of intermittent renewable energy resources, particularly solar generation which can only be used during the time the sun is shining. It is unclear how changes to DST could affect demand of energy resources and the particular effects on the electrical grid when solar generation is increasingly relied upon.

Proposed Law:

This bill would:

1. Make several findings and declarations regarding the benefits of standard time.
2. Repeal DST in the state and the provisions regarding the Legislature’s authority to amend the dates and times of the DST period, including if consistent with federal law, and if federal law authorizes the state to provide for the year-round application of DST by a ²/₃ vote.
3. Require the state and all political subdivisions of the state to observe year-round standard time.
4. Exempt the state and all political subdivisions of the state from the provisions of federal law that establish the advancement of time.
5. Require the state and all political subdivisions of the state, if the federal government adopts year-long DST, to set time to conform with that federal adoption, effective upon whichever date as is provided by the federal government.

Related Legislation:

SCR 7 (Niello, 2026) proclaims that the Legislature acknowledges the health benefits of permanent standard time.

SB 51 (Niello) of 2025, would have repealed DST and made year-round Standard Time permanent.

SB 1413 (Niello) of 2024, would have required year-long standard time and required the CEC to prepare and submit a report, on or before February 1, 2027, to the Legislature assessing the near-term and long-term impacts of observing year-round standard time on energy demand and supply.

AJR 33 (Chu) of 2020, was a measure to urge Congress and the President to enact legislation that would have allowed a state to adopt DST year-round.

AB 7 (Chu) of 2018, was an urgency measure that would have established year-round DST effective immediately once the federal government authorizes such a change.

Proposition 7 of 2018 made numerous changes to the state’s statute concerning DST, including: conform the dates of DST observance with those in the federal statute; authorized the state, by a ²/₃ votes of the Legislature, to adopt a year-round DST if allowed by the federal government; and repealed numerous sections of the 1949 California DST Act.

AB 807 (Chu, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2018) directed the Secretary of State to place an initiative on the ballot to allow voters to decide whether to authorize the Legislature, by a ²/₃ vote of the members, to make changes to the state’s observance of DST consistent with, and to the extent authorized by, federal law.

AB 385 (Chu) of 2016, would have repealed the DST Act and authorized the Legislature by majority vote to amend the law for the application of permanent (year-round) DST, if authorized by federal law. The bill failed passage on the Senate Floor.

AB 2496 (Chu) of 2016, would have declared the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish United States Standard Pacific Time as the standard time within the state during the entire year. The bill died at the Assembly Desk.

AJR 28 (Obernolte, Chapter 167, Statutes of 2016) urged Congress and the President to enact legislation that would allow states to adopt permanent (year-round) DST.

SJRX2 1 (Karnette, Chapter 1, Statutes of 2001) memorialized Congress to approve legislation that allows a state to uniformly apply DST year-round.

Staff Comments:

According to deputies in the Office of Legislative Counsel, SB 1197 would need to go before the voters before year-long standard time could be adopted. Deputies of the Office of Legislative Counsel caution that Section 2 of Article 2 of the California Constitution may require the voters to approve the change proposed in this bill. The deputies in the Office of Legislative Counsel caution that a change to year-long standard time may not be consistent with the passage of Proposition 7 which authorized the Legislature to make changes to the dates of DST. The supporters of this bill contend that when AB 807 (Chu, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2018) was being debated the authors expressed that the language would still allow the state to adopt year-long standard time. They suggest that this may strictly be an issue of divergent interpretations. Should this bill proceed, the author and members may wish to further assess whether to require the bill go before the voters, as suggested by the deputies of the Office of Legislative Counsel.

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SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS

Senator Benjamin Allen, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 4/7/2026

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill repeals Daylight Savings Time (DST) and makes permanent year-round Standard Time. The bill requires, if the federal government adopts permanent DST, the state to conform to that federal adoption.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes, under federal law, the standard time of the United States for each of nine zones and advances the standard time of each zone by one hour during the period commencing at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of March of each year and ending at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November of each year. Establishes the standard time within California is that of the fifth zone designated by federal law as Pacific Standard Time (PST). Prohibits a state from setting its standard time to year-round DST. (15 U.S. Code §260 et seq.)
2. Establishes the standard time for California, consistent with federal law, is PST, and sets DST to begin at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of March of each year and end at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November of each year. Authorizes the Legislature, by a ²/₃ vote, to change the dates and times of the DST period, consistent with federal law, and if federal law authorizes the state to provide for the year-round application of DST. (Government Code §6808)

This bill:

1. Makes several findings and declarations regarding the benefits of standard time.
2. Repeals DST in the state and the provisions regarding the Legislature’s authority to amend the dates and times of the DST period, including if consistent with federal law, and if federal law authorizes the state to provide for the year-round application of DST by a ²/₃ vote.
3. Requires the state and all political subdivisions of the state to observe year-round standard time.
4. Exempts the state and all political subdivisions of the state from the provisions of federal law that establish the advancement of time.
5. Requires the state and all political subdivisions of the state, if the federal government adopts year-long DST, to set time to conform with that federal adoption, effective upon whichever date as is provided by the federal government.

Background

Daylight savings time vs. standard time. DST is commonly understood as “summer time” and standard time is commonly understood as “winter time.” In California, DST, summer time, is observed during the time of year when clocks “spring forward,” between the second Sunday of March and first Sunday of November, consistent with federal law. Standard time, or winter time, in California is observed during the time of year when clocks “fall back,” between the first Sunday of November and second Sunday of March.

History of DST. The first modern DST was established during WWI as an effort to save energy and conserve fuel. In April of 1916, at 11:00 p.m., Germany and Austria advanced the hands of their clocks one hour and kept them that way until the following October. Many other nations—mostly in Europe but including Tasmania and some Canadian provinces as well—followed suit. Two years later, the United States also established in law DST and created a standard time. That law defined standard time zones and set summer DST to begin on March 31, 1918. The nation observed DST for seven months in 1918 and 1919 but ceased to do so when Congress repealed the DST law. Nonetheless, from February 9, 1942, to September 30, 1945, President Franklin Roosevelt instituted year-round DST, or “War Time.” From 1945 to 1966, there was no federal law regarding DST, leaving it to states and localities to choose whether and when to observe DST.

California Daylight Saving Time Act. California voters, in 1949, established The California Daylight Saving Time Act through the passage of Proposition 12. The proposition established standard time within California as the time which the federal government describes and designates as United States PST. The initiative also required that the state advance time one hour during the period from the last Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October. In the mid-1960s, Congress enacted The Uniform Act of 1966 to establish a uniform standard DST within each time zone. The act set DST to begin on the last Sunday of April and to end on the last Sunday of October. This act exempted any state from observing DST if the state passed a law that results in year-round observance of standard time. Two states—Arizona and Hawaii—have done so. Federal law does not, however, give states the option to observe DST year-round. In an effort to save energy, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act in 2005 to extend DST in the U.S. by three weeks in the spring and one week in the fall. This change created a conflict between California’s DST law and the federal law on DST. However, since federal law provides states only two options: (1) observe standard time throughout the year, or (2) observe DST on federally mandated dates, California has observed the dates consistent with the adjusted federal dates.

California passes Proposition 7 in 2018. In 2018, AB 807 (Chu, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2018) placed a ballot measure before voters to make changes to the state’s observance of DST. Specifically, Proposition 7 (November 2018) which passed with 59.75% Yes to 40.25% No. Proposition 7 allows the Legislature by ²/₃ vote to make future changes to California’s DST period, including applying year-round application of DST, if changes are consistent with federal law. Proposition 7 also conformed California DST to current federal law. To enact Proposition 7 the measure also repealed Proposition 12 of 1949, a ballot initiative that established DST in California.

Energy savings? Claims of energy savings underlie observance of DST during the spring and summer. The argument is that by springing the clock forward during the summer when there are more sunlight hours, we can take advantage of natural light and use less energy or fuel. Yet, there is no clear evidence that DST results in energy savings and some evidence suggests the contrary. In 2008, the National Bureau of Economic Research released a study on the effectiveness of DST. The study sought to provide the first empirical estimates of DST effects on electricity consumption in the United States by focusing on residential electricity demand as far back as the mid-1970s. The bureau’s main finding was that contrary to the intent of the policy, DST increases residential electricity demand by approximately one percent. According to the study, during DST, there is a tradeoff between the demand for electricity and the demand for heating and cooling. That is, as the demand for electricity is reduced, the demand for heating and cooling is increased. These findings estimate that DST increased cost of electricity to Indiana households by about $9 million per year. The study further speculates that this impact is likely to vary by region, with regions where demand for heating and cooling is greater experiencing a higher increase in electricity use.^[1]

In 2007, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a study in response to the expansion of DST by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This study, titled “The Effect of Early Daylight Saving Time on California Electricity Consumption: A Statistical Analysis,” revealed that the “extension of DST to March 2007 had little or no effect on energy consumption in California, according to a statistical analysis. The most likely approximation is a .2% decrease during these three weeks.”^[2] The findings of the study in relation to energy savings of the changes to DST were largely inconclusive as the 95% confidence interval could result in a range of 1.5% energy savings to 1.4% increase in energy consumption.

Comments

Bill seeks year-round standard time. The author and supporters are seeking to do away with the biannual changing of the clocks and establish year-long standard time. In support of this goal, the author and supporters cite various studies as to the benefits of having year-round standard time. The main benefits cited are the avoidance of public health impacts associated with shifting the time by an hour twice a year, including increased heart attacks and strokes, traffic accidents, and workplace injuries as residents adjust to the time differences.

Bill also provides year-long DST if the federal government adopts year-long DST. Unlike previous related bills by the author, this bill includes a provision that if the federal government adopts year-long DST, then California would conform with the federal government adoption effective on the date provided by the federal government. The author contends this is to address any concerns about potential efforts for year-long DST at the federal level. Given the supporters for this bill seek year-long standard time, they may believe it is unlikely the federal government would adopt year-long DST. However, this provision while attempting to address concerns from the opposition may also underscore the continued need to delay state action, unless and until the federal government adopts changes to DST.

Changing electricity generation sources. Since the 2007 CEC study, the state has increased its use of intermittent renewable energy resources, particularly solar generation which can only be used during the time the sun is shining. It is unclear how changes to DST could affect demand of energy resources and the particular effects on the electrical grid when solar generation is increasingly relied upon. In recent years, the state’s largest electrical grid operator, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has experienced challenges maintaining electric grid reliability in the evening hours of the late summer when solar generation has plummeted and hydroelectric resources have been reduced but demand for load is still high (the net peak load). As a result, the state has invested billions of dollars from the state General Fund and utility ratepayers to help shore up resources during the net peak load. It is unclear whether a move to permanent standard time might exacerbate these conditions, as the sun would set earlier on these days. Importantly, the amount of daily sunrise/sunset is not static and changes depending on the time of year and location.

Legislature empowered? Act of Congress not needed to establish standard time. Existing federal law does not allow states to establish year-round DST but does allow year-round standard time. A former legislative author abandoned a previous attempt to establish year-round standard time due to opposition against such a change, including concerns that standard time would limit daylight activities and other impacts. If the Legislature passes this measure by the required ²/₃ and the Governor signs this bill into law, this bill would take effect on January 1, 2027. As such, the clocks would NOT spring forward on March 2027 in California and the state would remain on PST.

What did voters support? Voters supported the passage of Proposition 7 in 2018. However, it seems a valid question as to whether voters supported doing away with the biannual clock changes or if they support permanent year-long DST or permanent year-long standard time. Lacking any more recent data and analysis, this bill would go into effect on January 2027 and immediately adopt year-long standard time. It is unclear whether the state is prepared for doing away with the time change and the full ramifications of this policy to a myriad of operations, including: schools, logistics industry, communications, transportation, and many others, as well as, the effects on individuals adjusting to the new sunrise and sunset hours during the summer time (DST). The reality for most individuals is they may not fully appreciate the changes being proposed until they are clearly explained and potentially experienced.

In 1974, as a response to the global energy crisis, the federal government under President Nixon attempted a year-long DST which, according to some news reports, was abandoned by the fall of that same year due to the political backlash, public outcry, and concerns about safety due to the later sunrises (and darker mornings as a result). It is unclear whether a change to yearlong standard time would engender a similar response.

Impacts to communities along the state’s borders. California shares borders with three states and the country of Mexico. The constant movement of people and goods across those borders requires coordination. The economies and societies of the border communities are interdependent. Currently, Arizona does not observe DST. Mexico recently did away with observing DST, however, the border areas maintain alignment with U.S. states. Changes to DST in California have the potential for considerable disruption. For example, when Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which amended the dates of DST in the United States, it resulted in a time difference, for a period of a couple of weeks, between communities in the U.S. and communities in Mexico. This had a huge effect on border communities. In order to address this effect, the Congress of Mexico passed a law to allow border communities to adopt a DST pattern consistent with the United States. However, given Mexico has moved to year-long standard time, it is unclear whether a similar move by California would have a similar effect.

Caution! According to deputies in the Office of Legislative Counsel, SB 1197 would need to go before the voters before year-long standard time could be adopted. Deputies of the Office of Legislative Counsel caution that Section 2 of Article 2 of the California Constitution may require the voters to approve the change proposed in this bill. The deputies in the Office of Legislative Counsel caution that a change to year-long standard time may not be consistent with the passage of Proposition 7 which authorized the Legislature to make changes to the dates of DST. The supporters of this bill contend that when AB 807 (Chu, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2018) was being debated the authors expressed that the language would still allow the state to adopt year-long standard time. They suggest that this may strictly be an issue of divergent interpretations. Should this bill proceed, the author and members may wish to further assess whether to require the bill go before the voters, as suggested by the deputies of the Office of Legislative Counsel.

Timing and federal play. The question for the Legislature is whether immediate action is necessary. At the federal level, there are efforts to advance year-round DST in Congress. Last year, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee convened a hearing to hear from advocates for year-round DST and year-round standard time. President Trump then posted on social media “The House and Senate should push hard for more Daylight at the end of the day. Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!”^[3] There may be some benefit to waiting and assessing implications of a year-long standard time before authorizing its change. The state could assess the implications and the interests of residents, communities, schools, businesses, neighboring states and others to coordinate and conform to a year-long standard time all with a more informed analysis. Such an analysis should also include more current consideration of changes to energy systems, in the near-term and long-term, of moving to year-long standard time, as well as, the impacts during the different time of the year in different regions of the state.

Prior/Related Legislation

SCR 7 (Niello, 2026) proclaims that the Legislature acknowledges the health benefits of permanent standard time. The resolution is pending in the Assembly Committee on Health.

SB 51 (Niello) of 2025, would have repealed DST and made year-round Standard Time permanent. The bill was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB 1413 (Niello) of 2024, would have required year-long standard time and required the CEC to prepare and submit a report, on or before February 1, 2027, to the Legislature assessing the near-term and long-term impacts of observing year-round standard time on energy demand and supply. The bill was held by the author on the Assembly Floor.

AJR 33 (Chu) of 2020, was a measure to urge Congress and the President to enact legislation that would have allowed a state to adopt DST year-round. The measure was never heard.

AB 7 (Chu) of 2018, was an urgency measure that would have established year-round DST effective immediately once the federal government authorizes such a change. The bill was held in this committee.

Proposition 7 of 2018 made numerous changes to the state’s statute concerning DST, including: conform the dates of DST observance with those in the federal statute; authorized the state, by a ²/₃ votes of the Legislature, to adopt a year-round DST if allowed by the federal government; and repealed numerous sections of the 1949 California DST Act.

AB 807 (Chu, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2018) directed the Secretary of State to place an initiative on the ballot to allow voters to decide whether to authorize the Legislature, by a ²/₃ vote of the members, to make changes to the state’s observance of DST consistent with, and to the extent authorized by, federal law.

AB 385 (Chu) of 2016, would have repealed the DST Act and authorized the Legislature by majority vote to amend the law for the application of permanent (year-round) DST, if authorized by federal law. The bill failed passage on the Senate Floor.

AB 2496 (Chu) of 2016, would have declared the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish United States Standard Pacific Time as the standard time within the state during the entire year. The bill died at the Assembly Desk.

AJR 28 (Obernolte, Chapter 167, Statutes of 2016) urged Congress and the President to enact legislation that would allow states to adopt permanent (year-round) DST.

SJRX2 1 (Karnette, Chapter 1, Statutes of 2001) memorialized Congress to approve legislation that allows a state to uniformly apply DST year-round.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT:

Save Standard Time (Sponsor)
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
American Academy of Sleep Technology
California Medical Association
California Sleep Society
National Sleep Foundation
Sleep Research Society
Society for Research on Biological Rhythms

Several Individuals

OPPOSITION:

California Alliance for Golf
California Golf Course Owners Association
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
Latina Golfers Association
Northern California Golf Association
Northern California PGA
San Francisco Public Golf Alliance
Southern California Golf Association
Southern California PGA

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The Coalition for Permanent Standard Time states:

Standard time aligns most closely with the position of the sun, and this alignment of clocks to the natural world is crucial for physical and mental health. Sunlight is the most powerful external cue for the human circadian rhythm, a system that affects all aspects of biological function. …The long dark mornings caused by permanent daylight-saving time would make it difficult to wake and commute to school and work during the winter. …Instituting permanent standard time is the most efficient way to eliminate the twice-yearly change, while protecting public health and safety, people of faith, daily commuters, and schoolchildren.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The California Alliance for Golf states:

SB 1197 asks the California Legislature to reverse a decision reached by 60% of the California electorate in 2018… The golf community understands how the loss of that hour [hour during the bridge months of March/April/September/October] would likely result in the loss of the months most key to successful girls and boys high school team gold programs.

They further express concerns about the economic impacts to the golf industry in the state from a shift to permanent standard time. They raise concerns about the need for further study of all impacts of such a change, including those related to crime and the economy.

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1. Grant, Laura and Kotchen, Matthew. “Does Daylight Saving Time Save Energy? Evidence from a Natural Experiment in Indiana.” October 2008. http://www.nber.org/papers/ w14429.pdf ↑

2. California Energy Commission. The Effect of Early Daylight Saving Time on California. May 2007.< http://www.energy.ca.gov/2007publications/CEC-200-2007-004/CEC-200-2007-004.PDF>. ↑

3. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/04/11/congress/trump-wants-to-change-the-time-00286183 ↑