The full Idaho Senate is considering a measure to put northern Idaho on daylight saving time year-round if Congress approves Washington’s intention to do so. A bill approved last week by the Senate State Affairs Committee calls for the parts of northern Idaho in the Pacific Time Zone to align with its neighbors to the West – the proposal does not affect the rest of the Gem State. In 2019, both Washington and Oregon legislatures passed bills moving their states to daylight savings time year-round. Those moves still need approval from Congress, though states can move to year-round standard time on their own. Idaho bill sponsor, Republican Senator Steve Vick of Dalton Gardens says syncing with Washington makes the most sense given the number of commuters in border towns like Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, and Lewiston and Clarkston. Legislation to exempt Idaho from switching to daylight saving time was killed earlier this session, as was a similar proposal last year. This year, daylight saving time begins on March 8th.
