2/1/08-A bill has died that sought to require a public question to be put on the ballot asking voters in certain counties in the state whether they prefer the Eastern or Central time zone.
Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Dembowski, D-Knox, HB1047 remained in the House Interstate and International Cooperation Committee at the deadline to advance from the chamber, effectively killing it for the year.
The bill would have allowed residents of counties bordering the dividing line between the time zones to have a voice in whether their county executive should petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to initiate proceedings to change the time zone. The governor would have needed to sign off on the petition before it could have been sent to the federal government.
At least 2 percent of registered voters in each county would have needed to sign a petition supporting the time zone question before it could have been put on the ballot.
Since daylight-saving time was implemented in the state in 2006, all but 12 of the state’s 92 counties are in the Eastern time zone. The counties that recognize the Central time zone are located in the northwest and southwest parts of the state.

1/9/08-A bill in the House Interstate and International Cooperation Committee would require a public question to be put on the ballot asking voters in certain counties in the state whether they prefer the Eastern or Central time zone.
Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Dembowski, D-Knox, HB1047 would allow residents of counties bordering the dividing line between the time zones to have a voice in whether their county executive should petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to initiate proceedings to change the time zone. The governor would need to sign off on the petition before it could be sent to the federal government.
At least 2 percent of registered voters in each county would need to sign a petition supporting the time zone question before it could be put on the ballot.
Since daylight-saving time was implemented in the state in 2006, all but 12 of the state’s 92 counties are in the Eastern time zone. The counties that recognize the Central time zone are located in the northwest and southwest parts of the state.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.