With the talk that Congress might pass a bill to extend daylight
savings time, will Arizona, which has opted out, in the past change
its practice and begin observing daylight time?  Who in Arizona would
make such a decision?

Mike S
Tucson, AZ

Hi! Thanks for the interesting question.

Based on events and policies in the past, it seems that Arizona may
not follow suit with DST once more. It is true that Arizona followed
DST during the war but in an energy crisis like in 1973, Arizona
exempted itself from following DST.

This event can be seen in perspective by looking at the following
links. The first one references the reason for the extended DST in
1973.

?Following the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, Congress put most of the nation
on extended Daylight Saving Time for two years in hopes of saving
additional energy. This experiment worked, but Congress did not
continue the experiment in 1975 because of opposition -- mostly from
the farming states.?

?Daylight Saving Time Daylight Saving Time, Its History and Why We Use It?
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/general/daylightsavingtime.html 


In this next reference, we can see why Arizona petitioned for
exemption. The next link will show you as well the historical
observation of DST in Arizona.

?The federal Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of
1973 (P.L. 93-182, December 15, 1973) established a trial year-round
Daylight Saving Time period to start 6 Jan 1974 to 27 Apr 1975. 
However, 4 Jan 1974, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Claude S.
Brinegar, granted a temporary exemption from Daylight Saving Time to
Arizona, Idaho and Oregon??

??Gov. ?Jack? Williams thought that petitions from ?vegetable growers,
farm bureaus, parents and industrial operations? swayed Secretary
Brinegar and that the exemption would permit Arizona ?to remain on a
clock time more compatible with the sun time.?"

?Daylight Saving Time?
http://www.lib.az.us/links/daylight.cfm 


The Arizona State Legislature meanwhile legislates in matters such as DST.

?1-242?
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/1/00242.htm&Title=1&DocType=ARS


Please take note that the Navajo Nation in Arizona is an exception to
the rule and that they observe DST.

?The Navajo Nation located in Arizona participates in the Daylight
Saving Time policy, due to its large size and its location in three
states.?

?Daylight Saving Time?
http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/elementary/montes/DaylightSaving.htm 


Search terms used:  
Arizona history "daylight saving time"
why Navajo observe "daylight saving time"

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                             
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