HR259.DOC

WHEREAS, the concept of Daylight Savings Time (DST) was introduced by statesman, Benjamin Franklin, in an essay entitled, "An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light," first published in the "Journal de Paris" in April 1784; and

WHEREAS, observance of DST has a long history in the United States, having been codified in 1918, repealed in 1919, reestablished in 1942, and standardized by the Uniform Time Act of 1966; and

WHEREAS, over 70 foreign countries have historically observed and continue to observe some form of DST; and

WHEREAS, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 does not mandate observance of DST, allowing local exemptions; and

WHEREAS, since Indiana adopted observance of DST in 2006, Arizona and Hawaii are the only two states that do not observe DST; and

WHEREAS, there are several potential benefits that can be derived from observing DST; and

WHEREAS, DST has been an integral part of energy policy during periods of "energy crisis," including the years encompassing World War II and the two years following the 1973 Oil Embargo; and

WHEREAS, California asked for federal approval to move to a year-round DST in 2001-2002 due to the state's energy crisis; and

WHEREAS, studies done by the United States Department of Transportation show that observance of DST has led to a small but significant energy savings nationally; and

WHEREAS, 25 percent of all electricity used in the average home is for lighting and small appliances including TVs, VCRs, and stereos, mostly consumed during the evening hours; and

WHEREAS, the slight increase in morning energy use during DST is offset by the energy savings afforded during evening hours when the bulk of energy resources are consumed; and

WHEREAS, additional hours of daylight during the evening also encourages families to plan and engage in more outside activities, increasing potential energy savings; and

WHEREAS, various studies conducted by the United States Department of Transportation also indicate that incidents of violent crime decrease during DST; and

WHEREAS, a 2007 study by the RAND Corporation entitled, "Short and Long Run Effects of Daylight Savings Time on Fatal Automobile Crashes" found a decrease in crashes involving pedestrians by 8 to 11 percent and a decrease in crashes involving vehicular occupants only by 6 to 10 percent during DST; and

WHEREAS, the effects of DST observance certainly vary from location to location; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is an island state in a unique geographic location and requires energy efficient solutions to serve our special circumstances; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) is requested to study the effects of DST observance for Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that LRB is requested to report its findings, including suggestions for legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Daylight Savings Time

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	259
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII