Title: Daylight Saving Time

Summary: Citing this act as the "Sunshine Protection Act;" exempting the State of Florida and its political subdivisions from daylight saving time; requiring that the state and all of its political subdivisions observe standard time; authorizing each district school board to adjust school start times due to the exemption from daylight saving time; authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to study adjustments in standard agricultural practices due to the exemption from daylight saving time, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, the Uniform Time Act of 1966, U.S.C. s. 260(a), mandates a uniform and coordinated system of observing time throughout the United States, including the observance of daylight saving time from a.m. on the second Sunday in March until a.m. on the first Sunday in November of each year, and WHEREAS, states may exempt themselves from daylight saving time by legislative act and by opting to observe only standard time throughout the state, and WHEREAS, Florida s sunshine is an essential economic asset and part of this state s quality of life, and WHEREAS, additional sunshine would have a positive economic impact on numerous businesses throughout the state, and WHEREAS, district school boards are capable within their discretion to adjust school start times to ensure student safety, and WHEREAS, this state s agricultural industry no longer requires daylight saving time for increased productivity, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.  (1)   This section may be cited as the  Sunshine Protection Act.  (2) Pursuant to U.S.C. s. 260(a), this state exempts itself and all of its political subdivisions from observation of daylight saving time, between a.m. on the second Sunday in March and a.m. on the first Sunday in November of each calendar year, and the entire state and all of its political subdivisions shall observe the standard time that is otherwise applicable during that time period.(3) Each district school board may adjust school start times based on student safety and available daylight as a result of this section.(4) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may study adjustments in standard agricultural practices as a result of this section.Section 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2014.