U.S. Observes Daylight Saving Time Amidst Ongoing Debate on Permanent Change

Most areas of the United States are scheduled to advance their clocks by one hour at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, marking the beginning of daylight saving time (DST).

This annual change, which results in a 23-hour day and shifts sunrise and sunset times, continues to be the subject of legislative debate at both state and federal levels regarding its potential permanent adoption or elimination.

Commencement of Daylight Saving Time

The shift to daylight saving time in the U.S. begins on Sunday and is scheduled to conclude on November 1. This change results in a loss of one hour of sleep and postpones sunrise and sunset times by an hour.

Observance and Exceptions

While the majority of the U.S. observes DST, several states and territories do not. These include Hawaii, most of Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation), American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Internationally, approximately half of the 140 countries that have adopted clock changes at various times still observe DST. Participation varies, with notable observers in much of Canada (with British Columbia transitioning to permanent daylight time) and most of Europe (excluding Iceland, Russia, and Belarus). Certain nations in Africa and Asia, such as Israel and Egypt, also participate. In South America, Chile and Paraguay currently observe DST, while no Central American countries do. The start and end dates for DST vary by country.

Historical Context

The U.S. has intermittently adjusted its clocks since railroad time standardization in 1883. Daylight saving time was first established in 1918 to conserve fuel during World War I. It was reinstated during World War II and the energy crisis of the early 1970s. The practice became federal law in 1966 with the passage of the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the schedule for participating states.

Public Opinion and Health Considerations

The twice-yearly clock change generates public debate, with polls indicating that a majority of people disapprove of the system.

An AP-NORC poll from the previous year found that approximately 1 in 10 U.S. adults favor the current system, about half oppose it, and 4 in 10 expressed no opinion. Among those with a preference, most favored permanent daylight saving time over permanent standard time.

Research indicates potential health consequences associated with the clock changes, including disruptions to sleep patterns and increased risks of strokes, heart attacks, and fatal vehicle crashes, particularly following the spring forward. Sleep experts generally favor more daylight in the morning, with some indicating that permanent standard time, which aligns the sun overhead near noon, could improve functioning year-round.

Arguments for and Against Permanent Changes

Proposals for permanent daylight saving time would result in later winter sunrises, such as around 9 a.m. in Detroit. Conversely, proposals for permanent standard time would cause earlier summer sunrises, like 4:11 a.m. in Seattle in June.

Various industries have expressed concerns regarding potential changes. The airline industry has cited complexities in scheduling as a factor influencing lawmakers. Broadcasters have raised concerns about schedule confusion if permanent standard time were adopted without neighboring states making similar changes. Conversely, the golf industry has opposed full-time standard time due to its impact on evening play.

Legislative Efforts

Efforts to alter the current system have been ongoing at both state and federal levels.

Since 2018, 19 states have passed laws supporting a move to permanent daylight saving time. However, federal legislation is required for states to implement full-time DST. In the past two years, several states have advanced bills in one legislative chamber to switch to permanent standard time, often with caveats requiring neighboring states to also adopt the change to address concerns such as schedule confusion. State-level bills proposing either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time are approximately evenly split.

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to establish permanent daylight saving time, but a similar House bill has not been brought to a vote. Federal legislative efforts to establish permanent DST, such as the Sunshine Protection Act, have been reintroduced in Congress but remain stalled in committees. Another proposal, the Daylight Act of 2026, suggests a permanent 30-minute forward shift from standard time, which would make U.S. time out of sync with most other countries; this bill also remains in committee. One proposal suggests a federal law to end the twice-yearly clock change in two years, allowing states to then choose either daylight saving or standard time permanently.