Utah will continue to observe daylight saving time

SB157 • The idea of dumping daylight saving time may be ahead of its time, or behind the times, as Utah legislators killed it again Thursday — as they have annually for several years.

The Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee decided not even to make a motion on SB157, which would have abandoned daylight saving time in Utah. Instead, the committee adjourned. Its sponsor, Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, said he does not plan to push the bill any more this year.

Urquhart said daylight saving time endangers children who go to school in the dark before clocks switch back to standard time, and said switching times can be confusing and a hassle.

However, Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, said groups that have told him they prefer daylight saving time include farmers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy being out later, and car dealers who say it brings in shoppers later. He said they would prefer not switching times twice a year, but instead keeping daylight saving time all year.

Urquhart set himself up for a joke by being late for the hearing. When he finally arrived — after members had concluded all other business for several minutes — Chairman Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, quipped, "I think Senator Urquhart is off one hour."

Lee Davidson