Is it Time to Say Goodbye to Daylight Saving Time?

As the end of daylight saving time approaches on Sunday, November 3, many Americans are questioning the need to continue this biannual clock-changing tradition. While most states participate in daylight saving time, only Arizona and Hawaii have opted out, citing the outdated Uniform Time Act of 1966 as the reason for their exemption.

Congress holds the power to decide whether states can permanently establish daylight saving time, leading to a growing trend of states passing measures to remain on this time schedule year-round. This movement, known as “lock the clock,” has gained traction with 19 states passing legislation supporting the move in the last five years. However, these laws cannot take effect without a federal repeal of the Uniform Time Act.

Efforts have been made at the congressional level, including bills like Sen. Marco Rubio’s “Sunshine Protection Act,” which aims to establish daylight saving time permanently nationwide. However, these bills have faced challenges and have yet to become law.

Despite the growing support for year-round daylight saving time, the decision ultimately rests with Congress. Until then, Americans will continue to “spring forward” and “fall back” each year, following the current standardized time changes.

State Efforts Towards Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Let’s take a closer look at where each state stands in the effort to move to daylight saving time all year long:

Alabama

In May 2021, Alabama passed an act to permanently observe daylight saving time, pending a federal repeal of the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

Alaska

In Alaska, bills have been introduced to recognize daylight saving time year-round, but these efforts have not progressed significantly in the legislative process.

Arizona

Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, instead opting for Mountain Standard Time year-round. However, the Navajo Nation within the state follows daylight saving time from March to November.

Arkansas

Arkansas has seen bills introduced to adopt year-round daylight saving time, but these efforts have faced challenges in gaining traction.

California

California legislators have attempted to make daylight saving time permanent, but these bills have either been withdrawn or have not progressed in committee.

Colorado

Colorado is waiting on federal approval to enact permanent daylight saving time, with legislation passed by the General Assembly pending further action.

Connecticut

Connecticut has considered adopting Atlantic Standard Time year-round, but legislation to make this change has not moved forward.

Delaware

Delaware passed a bill in 2019 to remain on daylight saving time permanently, contingent on surrounding states also making the switch.

Florida

Florida became the first state to pass a resolution to observe daylight saving time year-round in 2018, pending federal approval.

Georgia

Despite a passed measure on permanent daylight saving time in Georgia, recent efforts have been made to move the state to standard time year-round.

Hawaii

Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time, with a bill in 2011 failing to pass in the state legislature.

Idaho

Idaho has seen legislative efforts to adopt permanent daylight saving time in certain regions, but these bills have faced challenges in committee.

Illinois

Illinois has introduced bills both to make daylight saving time year-round and to exempt the state from this time schedule, with these efforts remaining pending.

Indiana

Indiana legislation aimed at exempting the state from daylight saving time failed to gain traction in committee.

Iowa

Iowa has introduced bills to make daylight saving time permanent, but these efforts have not moved forward significantly in the legislative process.

Kansas

Kansas has proposed bills to either remain off daylight saving time or move to year-round daylight saving time, with these proposals failing to gain traction in the state legislature.

Kentucky

Kentucky introduced measures to make daylight saving time permanent, but these bills have failed to pass.

Louisiana

Louisiana passed a bill in 2020 to make daylight saving time permanent, but this change is contingent on federal approval.

Maine

Maine has introduced legislation to remain on Eastern Daylight Time year-round, but these efforts have not resulted in a change.

Maryland

Maryland introduced bills to make daylight saving time permanent, but these measures have not progressed to becoming law.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts introduced bills in 2023 to repeal daylight saving time and switch to Atlantic Standard Time year-round, but these efforts have not led to a change.

Michigan

Michigan legislation aims to adopt daylight saving time year-round pending federal approval, but these bills have not yet become law.

Minnesota

Minnesota introduced bills in 2023 to move to year-round standard time, but these efforts failed to pass.

Mississippi

Mississippi passed legislation in 2021 for year-round daylight saving time, but this change is pending federal approval.

Missouri

Missouri proposed bills to make daylight saving time permanent, but these efforts did not result in a change.

Montana

Montana introduced measures in the legislature to adopt standard time or rid the state of daylight saving time, but these bills have not led to a change.

Nebraska

Nebraska considered bills in 2023 to move to year-round daylight saving time, but these efforts failed to pass.

Nevada

Nevada proposed measures for 2021 to adopt Pacific Daylight Time or Pacific Standard Time year-round, but these bills did not move forward.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire introduced legislation in 2024 to move to Atlantic Standard Time, but these efforts have not resulted in a change.

New Jersey

New Jersey has introduced bills to put the state on daylight saving time permanently, but these measures are still pending legislative action.

New Mexico

New Mexico introduced a bill to exempt the state from daylight saving time, but this effort failed in the Senate.

New York

New York legislators have introduced several bills related to daylight saving time, but these efforts are still pending.

North Carolina

North Carolina passed a measure to adopt daylight saving time year-round, but this bill did not progress.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s attempts to pass permanent daylight saving time were unsuccessful in the past.