Resolve, Directing the University of Maine System to Study the Potential Effects of the State's Adopting Atlantic Standard Time
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0989
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: BENNETT, BALDACCI, KESSLER

Legislative Document
No. 989
S.P. 408
In Senate, March 2, 2023
Resolve, Directing the University of Maine System to Study the 
Potential Effects of the State's Adopting Atlantic Standard Time
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BENNETT of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Senator: BALDACCI of Penobscot, Representative: KESSLER of South 
Portland.
Sec. 1.  Permanent Atlantic Standard Time study and analysis.  Resolved:  
That the University of Maine System shall, within available resources, study and analyze 
the potential effects on public health and the State's economy of the State's adopting 
permanent Atlantic Standard Time and determine if that adoption will serve the 
convenience of commerce as required by the United States Department of Transportation.  
In conducting the study, the University of Maine System shall examine:
1.  The current effects of the practice of setting clocks forward and backward, including 
but not limited to physical health, mental health and economic effects as determined by 
both scientific research and public opinion; and
2.  Whether adopting permanent Atlantic Standard Time will negatively affect 
businesses' shipping and receiving of goods and products; the ability of residents to receive 
important television and radio broadcasts and timely news and information; bus, passenger 
rail and airline services across time zones; residents who engage in work, education, 
recreation, health care or religious worship outside of the State's time zone; major elements 
of the State's economy; and any current federal, state or local plans for economic 
development.
Funding for the study must be through private donations to the University of Maine 
System, and the University of Maine System is not required under this resolve to undertake 
work for which it does not have or has not received sufficient resources.
Sec. 2.  Report.  Resolved:  That, by December 6, 2023, the University of Maine 
System shall submit a report, including suggested legislation, based on its study and 
analysis in section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government.  The 
committee is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the University of Maine System to study and analyze the potential 
effects on public health and the State's economy of the State's adopting permanent Atlantic 
Standard Time and determine if that adoption will serve the convenience of commerce as 
required by the United States Department of Transportation.  The University of Maine 
System must conduct the study within available resources and submit a report with 
suggested legislation by December 6, 2023 to the Joint Standing Committee on State and 
Local Government, which may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 
131st Legislature.