Release: Assemblymember Kansen Chu Issues Statement Ahead of the Start of Daylight Saving Time

Release: Assemblymember Kansen Chu Issues Statement Ahead of the Start of Daylight Saving Time


March 9, 2018

Assemblymember Kansen Chu Issues Statement Ahead of  
the Start of Daylight Saving Time
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Kansen Chu (D – Milpitas) issued the following statement as Californians prepare to “spring forward” as daylight saving time begins Sunday.
“On Sunday, we will yet again have to change our clocks and move forward one hour until fall.  It is a practice I aim to eliminate with AB 807, my bill to move California to enjoy year round daylight saving time,” said Chu. “The practice of changing our clocks originated from World War I as a means to save energy. Studies today illustrate that there is little to no energy savings. In reality, changing our clocks twice a year directly impacts our health and increases crime and traffic. It is an outdated practice and I hope to work with the community at-large and my legislative colleagues to move to permanent daylight saving time all year.”
Chu’s bill has the support of several influential community groups and non-profit organizations, including City of Costa Mesa nestled in Orange County.
Andrea Feathers, a resident of southern California and spokesperson for the Facebook group Save the Light, supports Chu’s effort and issued the following statement:
“Those few hours in the evening between leaving work and getting ready for bed are incredibly precious.  I’ve talked to so many people who say that these few hours are the only time they really have to play with their kids outside, or go for a bike ride, or grab a coffee with friends.  By making Daylight Saving Time year round, we would empower people to make even better use of that time with outdoor activities that they couldn’t easily or safely do in the dark.”
California’s robust business community has rallied behind Chu. The Silicon Valley Organization, formally the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the local Berryessa Business Association, are both in full support of AB 807, citing the negative impacts to commerce from the transition from daylight saving time to standard time.
AB 807 is scheduled for a vote in the State Senate in the coming weeks.
Assemblymember Kansen Chu represents the 25th Assembly District, which includ es the cities of Fremont, Milpitas, Newark, Santa Clara and San Jose.