Daylight Saving Time: A Look Ahead

It might seem hard to think about chilly November evenings while we’re in the heat of August, but those days are just around the corner.

This brings us to that biannual tradition of adjusting our clocks—something many people have mixed feelings about, whether they’re grateful for the change or simply forgetful.

You don’t need to rush to your calendar just yet; we have a few weeks before November 2nd rolls around. Yet, not long ago, it seemed like the U.S. was gearing up to treat this clock adjustment like any other Sunday.

In recent months, there have been proposals to “lock the clock.” Even some key figures have entered the debate, but progress seems to have stalled. Bills are sitting without movement, and most states will still have to turn their clocks back an hour.

So, what’s ahead for the yearly clock changes in the U.S.? Well, it looks pretty similar to the past.

About a century ago, the U.S. did try out a form of permanent daylight saving time during World War II. It lasted roughly a year, but after the war, the lack of consistent rules led to state and local confusion about timekeeping.

Congress attempted to bring some order with the Uniform Time Act in 1966, establishing standard and daylight saving time. There was another effort for year-round daylight saving during the energy crisis, but that didn’t stick either. Since the mid-1970s, it’s been the two-time-a-year clock change for most of us.

Efforts have recently gained some steam, particularly from lawmakers in Florida, who wish to return to permanent daylight saving time. However, many health experts argue against this approach. Despite bipartisan support in Congress, these bills have not moved forward.

A Senate hearing earlier this year considered various perspectives on whether the country should keep swapping the clocks. Those in favor of permanent daylight saving, as well as those advocating for standard time, presented their views, but the bill still requires revisions.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), who introduced the Sunshine Protection Act along with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), expressed that Americans are tiring of the biannual clock changes, describing it as an outdated practice. He emphasized the need to finally pass the act and make daylight saving time permanent.

In the meantime, a number of states are taking matters into their own hands. While most states need legislative approval to maintain permanent daylight saving time, it’s worth noting that only two states operate on standard time all year, as permitted by the 1966 Act.

Some states are advocating for measures to make daylight saving time permanent, often requiring congressional action. Bills attempting to implement permanent standard time have failed in various states, including Arkansas, Kansas, and Virginia.

This year, there haven’t been any notable proposals in states like Michigan or New Hampshire. In fact, the last five years saw no related initiatives in D.C. or Rhode Island.

No matter what, it looks like most of us will still be setting our clocks back an hour come November 2nd.