Starting March 9, millions of Americans will set their clocks forward for daylight saving time, a practice that advances the time by one hour at 2 a.m. and cuts into many people’s sleep. In the United States, this biannual shift, governed by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, is mandatory across most of the country, except in Arizona and Hawaii, which opt for standard time year-round. However, a growing movement among states seeks to end these seasonal changes, with 20 already passing legislation to adopt daylight saving time permanently, pending only a Congressional decision to enact the measures.
In recent years, the discussion about abolishing time changes has gained momentum, fueled by arguments ranging from energy savings to public health. In 2024, at least 30 states considered bills related to the issue, reflecting widespread frustration with the current system. While some advocate for staying on daylight saving time to enjoy more afternoon sunlight, others propose standard time year-round, avoiding the disruptive biannual switches. Despite these efforts, any change hinges on federal revision, keeping state initiatives in limbo.
Resistance to this practice isn’t new, but recent efforts reveal rare consensus in a polarized nation. Since 2018, states like Florida, California, and Colorado have led the charge for change, while political figures, such as Senator Rick Scott and former President Donald Trump, have voiced support for “locking the clock.” As of March 2025, the debate remains active, with new proposals emerging in state legislatures and Congress, promising a future where clocks might finally stay put.
Movement gains traction among states
Over the past six years, the number of states favoring permanent daylight saving time has surged, reaching 20 by 2025. Alabama, for instance, passed a law in 2021 that awaits only the repeal of the Uniform Time Act to take effect, while Florida pioneered the effort by enacting its resolution in 2018. Others, like Delaware and Maine, have tied their changes to neighboring states’ participation, creating a web of regional dependencies that pressures for a collective solution.
California, one of the most populous states, took a significant step in 2018 when voters approved a proposition allowing the state legislature to adopt year-round daylight saving time. Yet, repeated attempts to pass the necessary legislation have failed, with bills stalling or being withdrawn. In 2024, new measures were introduced, but the state still faces the federal barrier. Meanwhile, Colorado, in 2022, passed a law contingent on at least four other states in the Mountain Standard Time Zone, such as Utah or Idaho, joining the shift.
In Alaska, the situation is trickier due to extreme weather conditions. In 2025, Representative Jamie Allard proposed House Bill 41, which would exempt the state from daylight saving time, keeping it on standard time. Experts warn, however, that this could deepen winter darkness, with the sun rising after 1 p.m. in some areas, sparking debates about its impact on residents’ quality of life.
State and federal congresses at a standstill
While states pile up proposals, the U.S. Congress remains the primary roadblock. The Sunshine Protection Act, introduced by then-Senator Marco Rubio and reintroduced by Rick Scott in January 2025, aims to establish permanent daylight saving time nationwide. In 2022, the bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House of Representatives, highlighting a lack of national consensus. Donald Trump also endorsed the idea in December 2024 via social media, calling for an end to the biannual shifts.
Current federal law allows states to opt for year-round standard time, as Arizona and Hawaii do, but prohibits permanent daylight saving time without Congressional approval. This leaves states like Georgia, which passed its law in 2021, and Louisiana, with legislation enacted in 2020, waiting indefinitely for Washington’s action. In Texas, various proposals are under review in 2025, including a suggestion for voters to decide via referendum, though none have gained significant traction.
Some states explore creative alternatives. Connecticut and Massachusetts have considered adopting Atlantic Standard Time, used in Puerto Rico, which would place them one hour ahead of the Eastern Time Zone. Meanwhile, Idaho, split between two time zones, passed a 2020 measure to make daylight saving time permanent in its northern half, provided Washington follows suit. These initiatives highlight diverse approaches but also the reliance on coordinated action.
Benefits and challenges of the shift
The daylight saving time debate involves practical and scientific arguments. Studies suggest extended afternoon sunlight can reduce traffic accidents and boost commerce, benefits often cited by advocates of permanent daylight saving time. Conversely, critics note that biannual shifts disrupt sleep and productivity, with measurable public health impacts. In Midwestern states like Iowa and Illinois, 2025 bills reflect this divide, proposing both daylight saving and standard time year-round.
Among the challenges are regional and climatic differences. In Alaska, prolonged winter darkness is a real concern, while in the South, like Florida, the focus is on maximizing daylight for tourism and outdoor activities. Here are some key points raised in the discussion:
- Energy savings: Originally intended to cut electricity use, recent studies question its effectiveness.
- Health: Time switches can disrupt biological clocks, increasing risks of heart issues.
- Regional coordination: States like Missouri and Nebraska tie their changes to neighbors’ participation, complicating isolated implementation.
These factors fuel a debate that extends beyond politics, directly affecting Americans’ daily lives.
Timeline of daylight saving time in the US
Understanding the evolution of this practice provides context for the current moment. Daylight saving time was introduced in the United States in 1918 during World War I but was cemented by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Key milestones include:
- 1918: Initial implementation to save energy during the war.
- 1966: Uniform Time Act standardizes daylight saving time, allowing exceptions like Arizona and Hawaii.
- 2007: Extension of daylight saving time, starting the second Sunday in March and ending the first Sunday in November.
- 2018: Florida passes the first state law for permanent daylight saving time.
- 2022: Senate approves the Sunshine Protection Act, but it stalls in the House.
This timeline shows how the issue has gained recent prominence, with states taking the lead in pushing for change.
What to expect moving forward
As the nation nears another time shift on March 9, pressure on Congress intensifies. The 20 states with laws ready for permanent daylight saving time represent a significant force, but federal legislative inertia maintains the status quo. In 2025, new proposals, like those in Ohio and Pennsylvania, bolster the call for a national solution, while efforts like Oregon’s, seeking standard time with regional support, show the options remain open.
In the current landscape, coordination among neighboring states emerges as a deciding factor. Utah, for instance, awaits at least four Western states to follow its lead, while Maine hinges on federal or regional action. The variety of proposals reflects each region’s specific needs but also complicates the search for consensus. Until Congress acts, Americans will continue adjusting their clocks twice a year.
With the debate ongoing, the future of daylight saving time remains uncertain. The desire to “lock the clock” is evident in many states, but the lack of federal action keeps millions tethered to a practice established nearly 60 years ago. For now, Arizona and Hawaii stand as exceptions, proving life without the shifts is possible—an inspiration for those dreaming of a steadier time.
