In 2018, Seward introduced a bill to form an eight-person task force charged with studying the effects of ending daylight saving time in New York state. The panel would be made up of appointees from the Governor's Office, state Senate and state Assembly, his office said.

“While a well-intended idea when first enacted, the actual benefits of daylight saving time today are uncertain,” Seward said in an email message. “Many business owners and citizens alike have questioned the need for what they feel is an antiquated practice. My legislation calls for a study to determine if it is time to stop turning our clocks back and spring forward ... permanently.”

Seward said a number of factors would have to be studied before daylight saving time is ended.

“Health, economic, and social impacts must be thoroughly evaluated before we consider moving forward with ending daylight saving time,” Seward said. “New York state is a leading force in employment and the global economy, so any major change must be carefully considered.”

Skoufis' bill says his Daylight Saving Time Act is designed to “move New York state to Atlantic Standard Time, which would mean later sunsets in the winter.

“(It) directs the secretary of state to develop and submit an application to the federal government requesting that New York observe Atlantic Standard Time,” the bill says. “This section of the law would only take effect if Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania pass similar legislation regarding a switch to Atlantic Standard Time.”

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