Daylight Saving Time always in effect? Where the 'lock the clocks' campaign stands

(NEXSTAR) Almost all Americans, with the exception of Hawaii and parts of Arizona that do not observe DST, are moving their clocks an hour ahead as daylight savings time approaches once more. However, there are those who are calling for an end to the biannual clock change.

But is it possible that we will soon “lock the clocks”?

Officials – both at the state and government levels – are trusting that is the situation.

How is daylight saving time being implemented by Congress?
Recently, Congressperson Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023, which would establish a permanent daylight saving time. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with bipartisan support so far.

We would not “fall back” in November if the March 12 time change were to be approved.

This year, do you have a tax filing extension? Experts explain why you shouldn’t use it. A similar bill that Rubio introduced last year was approved unanimously in the Senate, but it wasn’t as well received in the House. Legislators argued that other issues were more pressing or requested additional study and discussion of the bill. Others expressed concern regarding the possibility of the move having an effect on regions that are heavily dependent on tourism or farming communities.

In contrast to last year, Republicans hold control of the House, so the outcome of Rubio’s new Sunshine Protection Act is unknown at this time.

State governments?

Daylight Saving Time always in effect? Where the ‘lock the clocks’ campaign stands According to federal law, the United States can only change its daylight saving time in one of two ways: A federal law is passed by Congress or a state or local government gives the U.S. secretary of transportation detailed information “supporting its contention the requested change would serve the convenience of commerce.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), at least 19 states had already passed legislation or resolutions to make daylight saving time permanent as of October 2022. However, without congressional approval or similar legislation from neighboring states, these states are unable to implement the change.

Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah are among the states that have enacted legislation or resolutions. Although it was the most visited national park in 2022, it is not exactly a park. A change was approved by voters in California, but legislation has not yet been passed. According to the NCSL, Massachusetts commissioned studies on the subject. Kentucky and Mississippi both passed legislation in 2022 that called on Congress and the president to make daylight saving time a permanent time change. daylight savings 2023 march

If Congress allows states to choose, legislation has been introduced in Arkansas, Iowa, and Oklahoma to permanently implement daylight saving time. A similar bill has been introduced in Nebraska, but with the following caveat: According to the Nebraska Examiner, a comparable law must be enacted by Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, or Kansas, a third state in the region. daylight savings ending daylight savings time

In New Mexico, two bills have been introduced:

one to keep the state on standard time throughout the year and the other to make daylight saving time permanent as long as a similar law is passed in all or a portion of Texas, specifically El Paso County, Texas. In Texas, legislators are wanting to pass a goal that would invest the decision between long-lasting standard energy or extremely durable sunlight saving time up to citizens in November. daylight savings 2023

The majority of the United States will continue to observe daylight saving time and the custom of changing the clocks twice a year if Congress does not act.