Lock the Clock: Here's Where Each State Stands on Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent

The Sunshine Protection Act

Following years of debate, the Sunshine Protection Act was passed by the Senate in March 2022, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the country. While the act needs to be passed by the House and signed by President Biden to become law, it has garnered support from both sides of the aisle.

Benefits of Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Proponents of permanent Daylight Saving Time argue that it would provide several benefits, including:

• Reduced traffic accidents: Studies have shown that permanent Daylight Saving Time can reduce traffic accidents by providing more daylight for drivers during the evening commute.
• Improved sleep patterns: Permanent Daylight Saving Time can help people get more sleep, as they would be able to wake up with the sun and go to bed earlier.
• Increased economic activity: Businesses that rely on outdoor activities, such as tourism and recreation, could benefit from longer daylight hours in the evening.

Opposition to Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Despite the potential benefits, there is also opposition to permanent Daylight Saving Time. Some concerns include:

• Disrupted sleep patterns: While some people may benefit from permanent Daylight Saving Time, others may find it more difficult to adjust to the time change, particularly in the winter months.
• Safety concerns: Critics argue that permanent Daylight Saving Time could increase the risk of accidents in the morning, as it would be darker longer.
• Health concerns: Some studies have shown that permanent Daylight Saving Time may increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as obesity and depression.

State Action on Daylight Saving Time

In recent years, several states have taken action on Daylight Saving Time. Nineteen states have passed legislation or resolutions to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, while four states have passed legislation to stay on standard time year-round.

The following is a list of states that have taken action on Daylight Saving Time:

State	Action
Alabama	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Arizona	Passed legislation to stay on standard time year-round
Arkansas	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
California	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Colorado	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Connecticut	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Delaware	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Florida	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Georgia	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Hawaii	Passed legislation to stay on standard time year-round
Idaho	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Indiana	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Iowa	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Kansas	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Kentucky	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Louisiana	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Maine	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Maryland	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Massachusetts	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Michigan	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Minnesota	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Mississippi	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Missouri	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Montana	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Nebraska	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Nevada	Passed legislation to stay on standard time year-round
New Hampshire	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
New Jersey	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
New Mexico	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
New York	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
North Carolina	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
North Dakota	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Ohio	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Oklahoma	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Oregon	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Pennsylvania	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Rhode Island	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
South Carolina	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
South Dakota	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Tennessee	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Texas	Passed legislation to stay on standard time year-round
Utah	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Vermont	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Virginia	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Washington	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
West Virginia	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Wisconsin	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent
Wyoming	Passed legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent

Conclusion

The debate over permanent Daylight Saving Time is likely to continue in the coming years. The Sunshine Protection Act has generated renewed interest in the issue, and it remains to be seen whether it will be passed into law.

In the meantime, several states have taken action to make Daylight Saving Time permanent or to stay on standard time year-round.