Bill to end daylight saving time in Idaho goes to House

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho residents wouldn’t have to fall back or spring ahead for daylight saving time under proposed legislation that advanced to the House on Wednesday.

The House State Affairs Committee voted to send to the full House the measure brought forward by Republican Rep. Christy Zito.

Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that don’t observe daylight saving time.

Zito, a member of the committee, introduced similar legislation last year, but it failed in the House on a 55-15 vote.

She said changing the clock forward and back is a health and safety risk that results in increased heart attacks and traffic crashes.

“We are sitting here having the government tell us what time it is and when we should change our clock back and forth and how we should do it,” she told fellow lawmakers.

Those opposed to ending daylight saving time have said they enjoy having daylight in the evening to recreate and enjoy time with family.

Some lawmakers voiced concerns that the bill didn’t contain information on how the change would be put in place and how it would work in northern Idaho, where many residents commute to Washington.