Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct time difference for Malheur County.

A bill to keep Oregon permanently on daylight saving time passed the state House Thursday on a 37-20 vote, after passing through the Senate in April.

The mostly bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, is contingent on California and Washington also abolishing the semi-annual time change.

"I don’t want to get anyone too excited, this has to be done regionally," cautioned Gov. Kate Brown, who has expressed support for the measure.

Washington passed a law to adopt the policy last month, and a similar bill is moving through the California State Legislature, but the change will only take effect if Congress also approves.

Federal law permits states to restore year-round standard, or winter time, but does not allow them to permanently "spring forward."

The joint memorial that passed through the Oregon Legislature urges Congress to allow states to adopt the later time.

Several other states are considering permanent daylight saving, including Florida which passed the law last year. Other states consider legislation to join Hawaii and most of Arizona, which remain on standard time.

Daylight saving time was originally enacted in the United States during World War I and again during WWII to save energy for the war effort, but today the amount of energy saved is negligible. Supporters of permanent DST say that more daylight in the evening decreases crime and vehicle and pedestrian fatalities.

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"It's what the people of Oregon want. It's what we've heard over and over," said Post during the debate.

Opponents are concerned about children going to school in the dark and religious communities that would have difficulties meeting morning prayer obligations if the sunrise coincided with the start of the work day.

Rep. Shelly Davis, R-Albany, said she also received concerns from farmers who are concerned that their employees will get less family time during the winter months.

"Yes, my husband and I often work without looking at the clock," Davis read from a constituent's letter. "But when it comes to our employees, that's a different story."

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Under the proposal, areas of eastern Oregon in Mountain Standard Time will still change their clocks back to standard time each fall, which will make Malheur County the same time as the rest of the state five months of the year.

The bill would take effect the first November after both California and Washington cease the practice. If unable to be in operation by Dec. 1, 2029, Oregon will remain on its current time system.

Reach the reporter at shawkins@gannett.com or 503-399-6713.