19 States Await Congress on Permanent Daylight Time
19 States Await Congress on Permanent Daylight Time
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Key Points
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The Sunshine Protection Act has been stalled in the Senate since July, but its return from recess could give lawmakers another opportunity to take up the bill.
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The current effort is described as the closest the country has come to permanent daylight saving time since a version of the Sunshine Protection Act passed the Senate in 2022 but later failed in the House.
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Florida congressional lawmakers have spearheaded several efforts to establish permanent daylight saving time nationwide, including the House-passed version of the Sunshine Protection Act.
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Delaware’s permanent-daylight-saving-time measure is contingent on Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also adopting the change, illustrating how some state laws depend on coordinated action by neighboring states.
Nineteen states have passed laws backing year-round daylight saving time, but federal law blocks them from making it permanent. Idaho Statesman reports the Sunshine Protection Act sits stalled in the Senate after passing the House with bipartisan support. President Trump's backing has revived hopes for congressional action on a measure that has languished since 2022.
States cannot act alone under the Uniform Time Act, which only permits permanent standard time, not permanent daylight time. Florida started the push in 2018. Now Maine, Texas, and 17 others await Senate votes to let them keep clocks forward year-round.
Why States Are Stuck Waiting for Congress
Federal law limits state power on daylight time. The Uniform Time Act allows states to stay on standard time permanently—like Hawaii and Arizona do—but forbids permanent daylight saving time. Kansas City reports the Sunshine Protection Act would override this by letting states choose year-round daylight time. Without Senate passage, the 19 states cannot implement their laws.
Some states have added conditions to their measures. Charlotte Observer notes Delaware's law only takes effect if Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania also adopt permanent daylight time. This coordination requirement shows states want regional alignment to avoid time-zone confusion.
The Bill's Long Road Through Congress
The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House with broad bipartisan backing, but the Senate has not voted since July. Kansas reports lawmakers return from recess soon, potentially reviving the bill. A similar Senate version passed in 2022 but died in the House—marking how close the nation has come to ending the twice-yearly clock changes.
Florida led the state charge, with its congressional delegation pushing the measure repeatedly. The bill would exempt Hawaii and most of Arizona, which already observe standard time year-round. Trump's public support signals a shift that could unlock Senate action.
What Permanent Daylight Time Would Mean
If approved, the law would eliminate the 'spring forward' and 'fall back' ritual across most of the US. Americans would keep clocks one hour ahead from March through November. Ledger-Enquirer notes proponents argue this provides more evening daylight for outdoor activities and may reduce energy use.
The 19 waiting states represent diverse regions—from Maine to California to Texas. Each passed its measure expecting federal approval would follow. With Trump's backing and a House majority, Senate passage remains the final hurdle to making year-round daylight time a reality for millions.
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