1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing to share my views on potential legislation regarding daylight saving time, such as the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the bi-annual changing of the clocks. While I strongly support ending the seasonal clock changes, I urge you to reject any proposal that mandates permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST) and instead support a transition to permanent Standard Time. From a physiological perspective, permanent Standard Time is better aligned with human circadian biology. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) officially advocates for permanent Standard Time because it provides a closer alignment between our natural body clocks and the Sun. Evening light under Daylight Saving Time delays the body's natural release of melatonin, which disrupts sleep quality and contributes to chronic sleep loss. This issue is particularly acute during Georgia winters. As we are on the western edge of the Eastern time zone, under permanent DST, sunrise in the winter months would occur as late as 8:40 AM. This means school-aged children would be commuting to school, waiting at bus stops, or walking in total darkness. Forced morning waking before sunrise increases risks associated with sleep deprivation. These risks include higher rates of traffic accidents during morning commutes, cardiovascular stress, and mood disorders. Ending the twice-yearly clock disruption is a goal shared by many Americans but doing so via permanent Daylight Saving Time creates public health and safety trade-offs. Aligning our policy with biological science by adopting permanent Standard Time is the safest, healthiest path forward for our state and country. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued service on behalf of the people of Georgia.