Bill > A05672

This bill proposes to change New York's time zone from the Eastern Time Zone (based on the 75th meridian) to the Atlantic Time Zone (based on the 60th meridian), which would effectively move the state's clocks one hour ahead. The bill directs the secretary of state to submit an application to the federal government requesting this time zone change. The legislation will only take effect if Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania also pass identical legislation, ensuring a coordinated regional time zone shift. The bill modifies existing laws in the General Construction Law and the New York City Administrative Code to update the standard time references, changing the dates for daylight saving time transitions from the last Sundays in April and October to the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November, respectively. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that the time zone change will be implemented at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November following federal approval of the Atlantic Time Zone request. The intent appears to be aligning New York's time with a more easterly time zone, which could potentially provide more daylight during certain times of the year and synchronize with neighboring states' time practices.