Daylight Saving Time Bill: The long-running debate over changing clocks twice every year has gained fresh momentum in the United States as Congress considers the Sunshine Protection Act. If approved, the legislation would allow most Americans to keep Daylight Saving Time (DST) throughout the year, eliminating the need to move clocks forward in spring and back in autumn.
While the bill still requires final approval, nearly 20 states have already passed laws preparing for permanent Daylight Saving Time, making this one of the most significant proposed changes to US timekeeping in decades.
Daylight Saving Time Bill: What is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act is a federal bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the United States.
If the legislation becomes law, Americans will continue using the current Daylight Saving Time observed from March to November throughout the entire year. That means clocks would no longer be turned back by one hour each November.
The House version of the bill is expected to receive consideration after lawmakers included its language in a broader transportation funding package. President Donald Trump has publicly backed the proposal.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “It could be ‘a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!”
Daylight Saving Time Bill: Why Does the Bill Matter?
Supporters argue that ending twice-yearly clock changes would simplify daily life, reduce disruptions to sleep schedules and provide more evening daylight during winter months.
If enacted, the biggest difference would be seen between November and February, when sunsets would occur roughly one hour later than they do now. However, later sunsets would also mean later winter sunrises, with some northern US cities not seeing sunrise until after 9 a.m.
Health experts remain divided, with many sleep specialists continuing to argue that permanent Standard Time is healthier for the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
The table below highlights how sunrise and sunset times across various U.S. cities would shift under permanent daylight saving time compared with the current system.
| City | Latest Sunrise / Earliest Sunset (Current DST Ends) | Latest Sunrise / Earliest Sunset (Permanent DST) |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | 7:28 a.m. / 5:30 p.m. | 8:28 a.m. / 6:30 p.m. |
| Charlotte, NC | 7:32 a.m. / 5:11 p.m. | 8:32 a.m. / 6:11 p.m. |
| Chicago | 7:18 a.m. / 4:19 p.m. | 8:18 a.m. / 5:19 p.m. |
| Cleveland, OH | 7:53 a.m. / 4:57 p.m. | 8:53 a.m. / 5:57 p.m. |
| Denver | 7:21 a.m. / 4:35 p.m. | 8:21 a.m. / 5:35 p.m. |
| Grand Rapids | 8:14 a.m. / 5:08 p.m. | 9:14 a.m. / 6:08 p.m. |
| Green Bay | 7:29 a.m. / 4:12 p.m. | 8:29 a.m. / 5:12 p.m. |
| Indianapolis | 8:06 a.m. / 5:20 p.m. | 9:06 a.m. / 6:20 p.m. |
| Juneau, Alaska | 10:16 a.m. / 3:40 p.m. | 11:16 a.m. / 4:40 p.m. |
| Las Vegas | 6:52 a.m. / 4:26 p.m. | 7:52 a.m. / 5:26 p.m. |
| Los Angeles | 6:59 a.m. / 4:43 p.m. | 7:59 a.m. / 5:43 p.m. |
| Nashville | 6:58 a.m. / 4:32 p.m. | 7:58 a.m. / 5:32 p.m. |
| New Haven | 7:18 a.m. / 4:22 p.m. | 8:18 a.m. / 5:22 p.m. |
| New Orleans | 6:57 a.m. / 5:00 p.m. | 7:57 a.m. / 6:00 p.m. |
| New York City | 7:20 a.m. / 4:28 p.m. | 8:20 a.m. / 5:28 p.m. |
| Portland, OR | 7:51 a.m. / 4:27 p.m. | 8:51 a.m. / 5:27 p.m. |
| Salt Lake City | 7:52 a.m. / 5:00 p.m. | 8:52 a.m. / 6:00 p.m. |
| St. Louis | 7:19 a.m. / 4:39 p.m. | 8:19 a.m. / 5:39 p.m. |
| Tampa | 7:22 a.m. / 5:34 p.m. | 8:22 a.m. / 6:34 p.m. |
| Washington, D.C. | 7:27 a.m. / 4:46 p.m. | 8:27 a.m. / 5:46 p.m. |
Daylight Saving Time Bill: Which States Are Already Ready for Permanent Daylight Saving Time?
Nineteen states have already passed legislation that would allow permanent Daylight Saving Time once Congress authorises it.
These states include:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Although these laws have already been approved at the state level, they cannot take effect unless Congress changes federal law.
Daylight Saving Time Bill: Which States Already Do Not Change Their Clocks?
Not every part of the United States currently observes Daylight Saving Time.
Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on Standard Time throughout the year.
Arizona largely avoids Daylight Saving Time because earlier sunsets help reduce exposure to extreme evening heat, while Hawaii experiences relatively consistent daylight hours year-round due to its location near the equator.
Daylight Saving Time Bill: How Would Permanent Daylight Saving Time Change Daily Life?
If Congress approves the Sunshine Protection Act, summers would look almost identical to today.
The biggest changes would occur during winter:
- Evening daylight would last about one hour longer.
- Winter sunsets would happen after 5 p.m. in many cities.
- Morning daylight would arrive later.
- Some northern cities could experience sunrises after 9 a.m.
Supporters believe the extra evening daylight would benefit businesses, outdoor recreation and commuters, while opponents warn that darker mornings could affect schoolchildren and early workers.
Daylight Saving Time Bill: Has the US Tried Permanent Daylight Saving Time Before?
Yes.
The United States experimented with permanent Daylight Saving Time during the 1970s oil crisis under President Richard Nixon as an energy-saving measure.
However, public opposition quickly grew because of extremely dark winter mornings, leading Congress to repeal the law less than a year later.
Since then, lawmakers have introduced several proposals to either make Daylight Saving Time permanent or adopt permanent Standard Time, but none have become permanent federal law.
Daylight Saving Time Bill: What Happens Next?
The Sunshine Protection Act must still receive final approval from Congress before becoming law.
Lawmakers are also considering several other proposals related to Daylight Saving Time, including bills allowing individual states to choose year-round Daylight Saving Time and another proposal to make Standard Time permanent nationwide.
Unless Congress passes one of these measures, Americans will continue changing their clocks in November under current federal law.
