Kemp signs permanent daylight saving time bill into law in Georgia

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill that would allow Georgia to switch to daylight saving time permanently.

But it’s not likely that our yearly time changes will stop any time soon.

Kemp signed Senate Bill 100 on Wednesday after it passed in the General Assembly last month.

It would still require an act of Congress to allow states to drop the time change permanently. Current federal law prohibits states from observing daylight saving time year-round.

The new law allows the state to repeal conflicting laws if Congress were to authorize the states to move to just daylight saving time.

Lawmakers argue safety is one of the big reasons to stop switching time back and forth.

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Cherokee County Rep. Wes Cantrell-R, who sponsored the bill, said the move could make for fewer car accidents and curb crime.

“Criminals like the cloak of darkness, so they have one less hour in the evening to commit their crimes,” Cantrell said.

Kemp did not comment on the new legislation.

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Should Georgia keep daylight saving time? You could soon get to vote Some lawmakers are concerned about what impact getting rid of "spring forward, fall back" would have on the local economy.