...

By Claire Dickey and Kate Nalepinski

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

The debate over daylight saving time (DST) has led to increasing efforts by state lawmakers to either make DST permanent or abolish it entirely. With daylight saving time set to begin in less than a week, discussions on its future have gained renewed attention.

While federal law currently prevents states from adopting DST year-round without congressional approval, some states have taken steps to position themselves for a future shift.

Others, such as Hawaii and most of Arizona, do not observe DST at all.

Read More on News

...

What Is Daylight Saving Time, And Why Do We Have It?

Daylight saving time is the practice of setting clocks forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall to extend evening daylight during the warmer months.

The idea was first implemented in the U.S. during World War I as a way to conserve energy. It became a permanent fixture in 1966 with the passage of the Uniform Time Act, which standardized DST across the country.

A 2021 poll conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that 75 percent of Americans disliked changing the clocks. However, opinions were split on which time should be permanent.

Despite its intended benefits, critics argue that the biannual clock changes disrupt sleep patterns, contribute to health issues, and have minimal impact on energy savings. Over the last six years, 20 states have seen legislation at the local level aimed at switching away from DST.

Which States Have Passed Legislation on DST?

Many states have passed legislation or resolutions to adopt permanent daylight saving time or opt out of it, but federal approval remains a barrier. Here is a list of those states:

• Oregon
• Washington
• Idaho
• Montana
• Wyoming
• Utah
• Colorado
• Tennessee
• Louisiana
• Alabama
• Maine
• Florida
• South Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Minnesota
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Georgia

In a statement to Newsweek, state Representative Brad Halbrook, an Illinois Republican, said he believes it's important for the state to adopt permanent DST because the current system is "outdated and disruptive."

Halbrook filed HB 1400 and HB 128 In the Illinois General Assembly, both of which propose a shift to permanent daylight saving time.

While federal law prevents states from making a change, he said state officials are working to build support within the Legislature and are "seeking a subject matter hearing on HB 1400 in the State Government Administration Committee." It would allow them to explore the benefits and potential challenges of the switch. Halbrook said he has not yet spoken with federal officials about the issue.

"As momentum builds at the state level, we will look at ways to encourage federal action to grant states the flexibility to adopt permanent daylight saving time," he said.

Representative Bob Morgan, an Illinois Democrat, said that next Sunday the U.S. will lose another hour of sleep, but "we will gain hundreds of hours of peak waking-hour productivity, outdoor recreation time, extended business hours, increased street and travel safety, and less energy consumption."

The small change has an effect on small businesses, the economy, and public health, Morgan told Newsweek.

"It just makes sense to make a shift that more appropriately accommodates our daily life schedules and avoids the unnecessary, disruptive back-and-forth of our semi-annual clock and bio resets," he said.

Congress is taking note of the states that have formally supported DST and "Illinois will soon join that chorus in support of the federal government making this long-overdue change."

Which States Do Not Adhere to DST?

Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time.

• Hawaii – Has never observed DST, as its tropical location provides consistent daylight throughout the year.
• Arizona – Opted out of DST in 1968 because of extreme summer heat, which would extend evening temperatures. However, the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, does observe DST to maintain consistency with its communities across state lines.

Could President Donald Trump Remove DST?

President Donald Trump has expressed support for permanent daylight saving time. In a 2019 tweet, Trump said: "Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!" His support reignited discussions in Congress, but no federal legislation has passed to make the change official.

The Sunshine Protection Act, which was reintroduced in Congress in 2023, seeks to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The bill has not yet passed the House. Despite Trump's vocal advocacy for eliminating DST, it's unlikely that a decision will be made by Sunday.

As the debate continues, states remain in a holding pattern, awaiting congressional action that would allow them to move forward with permanent daylight saving time. Until then, Americans should plan to adjust their clocks on March 9, as daylight saving time remains in effect.

Update 3/3/25 4:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Rep. Bob Morgan.

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines