As daylight saving time approaches once again, the age-old debate surrounding the practice continues to unfold. While some people eagerly anticipate the extra hour of daylight, others question the necessity of changing the clocks twice a year. The Sunshine Protection Act, introduced several years ago, aimed to eliminate these biannual clock changes, but the path to becoming law has been anything but smooth.
The Sunshine Protection Act, which was unanimously supported by the Senate in 2022, has yet to clear the House of Representatives. This bill, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio, would establish daylight saving time as the permanent time, eliminating the need to “fall back” in the winter months. However, despite the Senate’s approval, the legislation still faces challenges in the House.
As we look ahead, the future of daylight saving time remains uncertain. In 2024, we will once again “fall back” on Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., gaining an extra hour of sleep and welcoming earlier sunrises and sunsets. But the following year, in 2025, daylight saving time is set to begin on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. EST, with clocks “springing forward” and ending on Sunday, November 2, at 2 a.m. EST.
While the push to end the clock changes gains traction, it’s important to note that not all states observe daylight saving time. Arizona and Hawaii, along with Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas, have opted out of the practice and would be unaffected by the Sunshine Protection Act.
Furthermore, more than 30 states have considered legislation related to ending the biannual clock changes, and seven states – Alabama, Arkansas, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Florida – have already passed laws to adopt permanent daylight saving time. However, these states still require congressional approval to enact the change.
The Sunshine Protection Act, if enacted, would eliminate the changing of clocks to standard time for the months of November to March, effectively keeping us on daylight saving time all year round. Earlier this year, Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama once again promoted the Sunshine Protection Act, but there doesn’t seem to be much movement on the legislation since then.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the future of daylight saving time is still up in the air. While some states and lawmakers are pushing for a permanent solution, the road ahead remains uncertain. Ultimately, it will be up to Congress to decide whether the biannual clock changes will become a thing of the past or if we’ll continue to “spring forward” and “fall back” for years to come.
