A bill that would keep daylight saving time permanent for the entire nation is now stalled in Congress.
By Giulia Heyward
As Americans once again adjust to a changed schedule this Sunday, more states this past year joined the group to make daylight saving permanent as soon as the federal government approves it.
Twice a year, millions of Americans — with the exception of those living in Hawaii or Arizona — participate in setting their clocks either backward or forward. But over the years, support for ending a confusing practice that disturbs everyone’s schedule continues to grow.
The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving permanent for the entire nation, remains stalled in Congress. But here’s a breakdown of which states are getting ready in anticipation of its passage, according to a tally from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Alabama
In 2021, Alabama legislators, along with former Gov. Kay Ivey, passed a bill that would make daylight saving permanent as soon as the federal government also passed a similar measure.
Colorado
In 2022, the Colorado House unanimously passed a bipartisan bill that would make daylight saving permanent as soon as the U.S. government approved a similar measure.
Delaware
Delaware legislators passed a bill that would put the state in the Atlantic Standard Time zone, thereby permanently adopting daylight saving time, so long as the neighboring states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland also did the same.
Florida
In 2018, Florida legislators became the first to pass a bill that would make daylight saving permanent in the state as soon as the federal government also approved the measure.
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio sponsored the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent for the entire country.
Georgia
In 2021, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also signed a bill into law that would make daylight saving permanent, pending congressional approval.
Idaho
Because the state is divided into two different time zones, legislators signed a measure in 2020 that would make daylight saving time permanent for the northern part of the state so long as the state of Washington did the same.
Kentucky
In 2020, the Kentucky legislature passed a bill that would make daylight saving permanent, pending congressional approval.
Louisiana
In 2020, Louisiana legislators passed a bill that would make daylight saving permanent as soon as the federal government passed a similar measure.
Maine
After a bill that would have pushed the state’s clock forward one hour by switching to Atlantic Standard Time failed in 2017, it didn’t seem likely that the state would make a change.
Until two years later, when the Maine legislature passed a bill stating that it would immediately adopt daylight saving time year-round, so long as the federal government approves it.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, legislators passed two corresponding House and Senate bills that would make daylight saving permanent in the state following federal approval.
Mississippi
In 2021, the Mississippi legislature passed a bill that would make daylight saving permanent as soon as the federal government enacted a similar measure.
Montana
Similarly to Delaware, Montana legislators passed a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent as soon as several surrounding states do the same.
Ohio
In Ohio, legislators passed a resolution calling on Congress to pass the Sunshine Protection Act.
Oregon
In 2019, the Oregon legislature passed a bill that would make daylight saving time year-round. But one of its counties, Malheur, would be excluded from this change because it is in a different time zone than the rest of the state.
South Carolina
In 2020, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law that would make daylight saving permanent so long as the federal government also approved the measure.
Tennessee
In 2019, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that would make daylight saving permanent following similar action from the federal government.
Utah
Utah legislators passed a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent following action from the federal government and similar action in at least four of its surrounding states.
Washington
In 2021, Washington legislators passed a bill that would make daylight saving permanent for the state as soon as the federal government approved it.
Wyoming
Wyoming legislators passed a bill in 2020 that would make daylight saving time permanent for the state so long as Congress approved a federal measure and several of its neighboring states followed suit.
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