PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Joining a coalition of western states, Oregon is set to consider a bill that would make Pacific Standard Time permanent amid calls to end Daylight Saving Time.
Oregon state Sen. Kim Thatcher of Keizer announced plans to introduce Senate Bill 1548 when the state’s legislative session begins on Feb. 5.
The bill comes after Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho formed a workgroup to propose legislation that would make Pacific Standard Time permanent.
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“Oregonians have long-expressed their desire to stop changing the clock,” Sen. Thatcher said. “Some prefer keeping daylight saving time over standard time, and many don’t care which – they just want to stop changing the clock.”
Thatcher continued, “Since daylight saving time is just not possible without congressional approval, and after waiting five years for Congress to approve a DST bill that passed here in Oregon in 2019, standard time has become a common-sense choice for 2024 and doesn’t need approval from Congress. Research also shows standard time is the healthier choice! I’m grateful to have the privilege of working with our surrounding states as they, too, introduce bills to ditch the switch!”