(Nexstar) – With daylight saving time wrapped up, I’ve already flipped my clock back an hour, which, I suppose, feels like a routine at this point. Interestingly, several states are eyeing a future where this might be the last time they undergo this yearly clock adjustment.
Last year, numerous states had legislators debating whether to stick with permanent standard time or constant daylight saving time.
Currently, Arizona and Hawaii have already opted for a permanent standard time approach. If approved by Congress, around ten other states could follow suit, pushing for permanent daylight saving time.
About half of the remaining states are working on legislation aimed at establishing permanent standard times. It’s quite fascinating to see which way each state is leaning in this ongoing debate.
Now, let’s drill down into what’s happening in each state regarding the potential end of the time change rituals.
Meeting
Two bills propose keeping daylight saving time all year long. Meanwhile, another two allow states the choice regarding permanent daylight saving or standard time. All four bills have been introduced to committees, which is a step forward, I guess.
Alabama
No activity on this front this year, but the state did pass a law in 2021 enabling permanent daylight saving time, contingent on federal approval.
Alaska
Four bills focused on permanent daylight saving time have appeared, though they haven’t gained traction yet.
Arizona
Arizona has already made the switch to permanent standard time.
Arkansas
A bill aimed at establishing permanent standard time is currently being reviewed by a committee.
California
A proposal to maintain permanent standard time is under review, although voters had already given the nod back in 2018 for this change. However, moving forward with it has stalled.
Colorado
There haven’t been any new bills introduced this year, but last year, Colorado enacted legislation permitting permanent daylight saving time, pending congressional approval.
Connecticut
A bill, if passed, would align Connecticut with New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, allowing for a shift to permanent daylight saving time with federal blessing.
Delaware
Back in 2019, Delaware approved a law to observe permanent daylight saving time, contingent on similar actions from Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
District of Columbia
Recent measures have been approved to exempt the district from seasonal changes in time.
Florida
While Florida was the first state to enact a permanent daylight saving law in 2018, the federal approval is still needed to cement it.
Georgia
A bill passed in 2021 would put Georgia on permanent daylight saving time, should the opportunity arise.
Hawaii
No surprise here; like Arizona, Hawaii has no new proposals this year.
Idaho
A bill aimed at moving Idaho to permanent standard time has been proposed, influenced by potential changes in Washington and Oregon.
Illinois
Multiple proposals have been introduced in both houses, pushing for permanent daylight saving time and urging Congress to adopt this change.
Indiana
Three bills have been put forth to exempt Indiana from daylight saving time, though all remain under committee review.
Iowa
A bill advocating for permanent daylight saving was introduced, which could potentially gain committee support.
Kansas
A bill is in play to establish permanent standard time, keeping the option open to transition to daylight saving time depending on Congress.
Kentucky
A proposal to maintain standard time year-round is currently pending in committee.
Louisiana
A law passed in 2020 allows for permanent daylight saving time if conditions permit.
Maine
Only a few states have initiated time change-related measures this year, and Maine is one of them, having passed a law to seek permanent daylight saving time with federal approval, while another bill aimed at standard time was postponed.
Maryland
A recent bill aiming to secure permanent daylight saving time was withdrawn by its sponsors.
Massachusetts
Several bills concerning permanent standard time are awaiting committee evaluation, with another bill for daylight saving time facing a similar fate.
Michigan
A bill to exempt Michigan from daylight saving has recently emerged in committee.
Minnesota
A proposal to make permanent daylight saving time has been revived following a previous approval, pending congressional endorsement.
Mississippi
A measure for permanent daylight saving time was deemed unsuccessful earlier this year.
Missouri
A bill to switch Missouri to permanent standard time has been introduced, though it’s contingent on federal action for daylight saving time.
Montana
A proposal aimed at standard time was halted back in May.
Nebraska
Two competing bills regarding daylight saving and standard times are under consideration, with recent resolutions directing attention to reforming the current system.
Nevada
A bill to establish permanent standard time stagnated in Senate committees; thus, no new measures have emerged.
New Hampshire
No recent legislative efforts regarding time changes have taken place here.
New Jersey
A bill to observe standard time year-round was introduced, alongside another proposal for permanent daylight saving time.
New Mexico
No fresh bills concerning seasonal time changes have surfaced recently.
New York
This year, New York is exploring various proposals around daylight saving time, including the formation of a task force to evaluate its impacts.
North Carolina
A bill to secure permanent daylight saving time in North Carolina was introduced in February.
North Dakota
A proposal seeking permanent standard time was introduced earlier this year but has not gained sufficient traction.
Ohio
Both Senate and House versions of a bill are pushing Congress for the permanent retention of daylight saving time.
Oklahoma
A bill representing permanent standard time faced difficulty garnering votes and hasn’t progressed.
Oregon
A bill targeting permanent time changes in Oregon has been introduced, dependent on decisions from California and Washington.
Pennsylvania
There are competing bills for both permanent standard and daylight saving time under review.
Rhode Island
No new measures regarding time changes have been introduced recently.
South Carolina
Two bills about permanent standard and daylight saving time remain under committee consideration.
South Dakota
Attempts to make standard time permanent in South Dakota failed to pass earlier this year.
Tennessee
No significant new laws have emerged this year, though a 2019 law allows for permanent daylight saving time with congressional approval.
Texas
Several bills concerning time changes have been introduced in Texas, with one law enacted to maintain permanent daylight saving time, but others remain under committee review.
Utah
A proposal to set Utah’s time permanently at standard was indefinitely tabled back in February.
Vermont
No new seasonal time change proposals have surfaced recently, although discussions regarding permanent daylight saving time have taken place before.
Virginia
A bill aiming at making Virginia’s time permanent was not approved, but another one advocating for daylight saving remains under consideration.
Washington
A bill ensuring standard time for Washington still awaits committee discussions.
West Virginia
Two measures aimed at eliminating daylight saving time were introduced to a committee.
Wisconsin
A current proposal seeks to lock Wisconsin’s time at standard, but is still awaiting progress in committee.
Wyoming
No recent discussions regarding seasonal time changes have occurred, although a 2020 law allows for permanent daylight saving time if neighboring states follow suit—a measure that has only been enacted by Colorado thus far.
As of now, daylight saving time is set to conclude on November 2nd.
