Oregon Senate hedges its DST bet

By on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

SALEM – Ready or not, Oregonians will lose an hour of sleep Sunday as we switch back to Daylight Saving Time. Meanwhile, the Oregon Senate has approved a bill that would end Daylight Saving Time – but with two conditions. California and Washington have to do so as well.

The new bill before the Oregon Legislature gives the two neighbors 10 years to make the same change. In other words, if they don’t end Daylight Saving Time by March 2034, the Oregon bill will be repealed.

Oregon had previously passed a bill proposing permanent Daylight Saving Time instead of switching back to Standard Time. Unfortunately, that requires approval by Congress, which has not been forthcoming. Staying with Standard Time is up to each individual state without federal approval. Hawaii and Arizona stay with Standard Time all year.

The bill is now before the Oregon House of Representatives