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Permanent Daylight Saving Time Goes To WA Governor's Desk

Doug Nadvornick/SPR

A bill that would move Washington to permanent daylight saving time is now on its way to the governor. The House today [Tuesday] approved a version that had recently passed in the Senate.

The vote in the House was 90-6 and follows a similarly-lopsided vote in the Senate (46-2)

“Finally we can #ditchtheswitch, #bringthelight and #thefutureinwashingtonissobrightwegottawearshades,” said Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), the lead sponsor of this year’s version of the bill.

Past efforts have failed. But this year he was able to collect the broad support of his peers, even those on the opposite end of the political spectrum, including Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane Valley).

“I think it’s about time that we actually standardize across the board and not have to worry about switching clocks every so often, which not only causes health problems, but also is unnecessary in this day and age,” Shea said.

If the bill is signed by Governor Inslee, it would only take effect after Congress votes to move the country to daylight saving time. And there has been movement on that front this year, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio introducing a proposal for permanent daylight saving time in Congress. Washington Senator Patty Murray has voiced her support.

Florida and California are two states that have made similar moves. Others have gone to full-year standard time, something that does not require consent from Congress to implement.