Nebraskans would no longer spring forward or fall back under a bill in the legislature. Senator Tom Briese on Monday said his bill would adopt daylight saving year-round. He says study’s have shown that changing the clocks twice a year leads to negative health outcomes and decreased economic activity.
“Between medical costs, sick days, heart attacks, strokes, car accidents, loss of work days to workplace injuries and simple decreased efficiency at work, the costs really begin to add up,” Briese said.
Before Nebraska could make the switch to daylight saving time only, the federal government would have to authorize it and three adjoining states would have to pass similar bills.
Senator Steve Erdman was one of three lawmakers who opposed the bill. “It will be after 8:00 a.m. before the sun comes up in the winter time when the days are short. That is a significant problem for young people going to school.”
At least 19 states have passed bills seeking a change to year-round daylight saving time. Briese says 28 other states are considering bills like his this year.
The bill advanced on a 40-3 vote.