Representative Kevin West

Hi, I'm Kevin West and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 54th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Floor Leader

59th Legislature

News & Announcements


Nov 2, 2023
Recent Posts

Rep. Kevin West Comments on Time Change

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, today commented on the time change Oklahomans will experience this weekend when they "fall back" from daylight saving to standard time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5.  "The only way to lock the clock in Oklahoma and to stop this twice yearly time change is to switch to permanent standard time," West said. "I've long advocated for this and after my recent interim study on the issue, I realize it is as important as ever to continue my efforts." West said the aim of his study was to raise awareness among legislators about the history of daylight saving time and to detail the benefits of moving the state to permanent standard time. He invited experts to discuss the science of time change and the detriments of changing the clock twice yearly. West said he's been asked why the state doesn't just adopt permanent daylight saving time year-round instead of standard time. Federal regulations, however, specify states can exempt themselves from daylight saving time but not standard time. Some states have sought a waiver to be allowed to adopt daylight saving time year-round but without success. West also pointed to the Sunshine Protection Act in Congress, which would make daylight saving time permanent, but the act has not passed the last two years, and exemptions for some states would still remain. States that choose not to opt out of daylight saving time are required to set their clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m. the second Sunday of March each year and back an hour at 2 a.m. the first Sunday of November. The U.S. Congress first implemented daylight saving time through the Standard Time Act in 1918 during World War I as a way to "add" more daylight hours to conserve energy. The act also established five time zones across the U.S. The Uniform Time Act in 1966 mandated the country use daylight saving time but allowed states to opt out and to stay on standard time year-round. The thought behind daylight saving time is that by setting the clocks back an hour in November, more daylight time is gained in the early mornings. When an hour is added in March, more daylight is gained in the evenings. Permanent daylight saving time was enacted in 1974, but Oklahoma and other states petitioned the federal government to repeal it because of problems caused by it being dark until after 8 a.m. in the winter. There were complaints of children going to school in the dark and employees starting the work day before the sun rose. The permanent act was repealed in 1975. West said there are additional concerns such as health-related risks, increased auto accidents and work-related injuries that rise when daylight comes after people start their day. West said he's received an enormous amount of positive feedback from Oklahomans who support not having to change the clock twice yearly, specifically noting the time it takes to adjust to the change. He's run legislation in the past to move the state to permanent standard time. It's something he'll consider again for the upcoming legislative session that starts in February. 



Oct 9, 2023
Recent Posts

Kevin West Comments on Court Upholding Gender Transition Ban

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, a co-author of Senate Bill 613, released the following statement following a federal ruling upholding the legality of the legislation, which prohibits gender transition procedures for anyone under the age of 18. "I'm glad the court ruled in favor of protecting our youth from the permanent harms that will be caused by these procedures. Youth is a time of rapid change in bodies and hormone levels and brain development. Multiple scientific studies have failed to show a benefit from these procedures and in fact show potential for great and lasting harm. Perceptions formed at a young age can change drastically by adulthood. This law gives young people time to pause on taking an action that could lead to permanent mutilation of their bodies and sterilization as well as long-term adverse psychological consequences." Allowed under the law are medications or procedures for youth diagnosed with precocious or delayed puberty, those born with ambiguous or incomplete genitalia or who have both male and female anatomical features, or those who have a biochemically verifiable chromosomal disorder of sex development, as well as other exceptions. 



Sep 29, 2023
Recent Posts

Rep. Kevin West to Study Permanent Standard Time

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, has scheduled an interim study to discuss the potential benefits of moving the state to permanent Standard Time. He said his aim is to raise awareness among legislators about the history of Standard Time versus Daylight Saving Time. IS23-062 is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Room 450 at the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. "There's been great confusion in the past about whether or not Oklahoma can lock the clock and move to either Daylight Saving Time permanently or Standard Time," West said. "There are strong beliefs on each side of this issue. My hope is to discuss Oklahoma's options under federal regulations and to determine the pros and cons of any move so we can decide if future legislation would be needed or successful."  Study presenters include: Jay Pea, president and founder of Save Standard Time, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, donor-funded, volunteer-supported effort to preserve and extend the observation of longitudinally correct Standard Time. Jeffery Gentry, PhD, a professor of communication at Eastern New Mexico University, where he conducts research in political communication and the rhetoric of science. Robert Scott, a native Oklahoman and an aerospace engineer who holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Karin Johnson, a professor of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate and medical director of the Baystate Health Regional Sleep Program. She is vice-president of Save Standard Time and creator and host of its educational video series, "The Science of Clock Change."