On Sunday, March 10, daylight saving time begins in many U.S. states. At 2 a.m., you will need to set your clocks forward one hour. While some love the change and even wish for this time to become permanent, others want daylight saving time to be completely abolished.
However, there is something in common between these two groups. Research consistently shows that Americans are bothered by the annual time changes. A survey by Payless Power last year found that 74% of Americans support the complete end of daylight saving time, with the main complaint being the interference with sleep.
Still, no change is on the horizon, despite the widespread attention from many state legislatures, which are considering bills and resolutions to stop the clock switching twice a year.
In the last five years, 19 states have enacted legislation or approved resolutions to keep daylight saving time year-round, if Congress allows such a change and, in some cases, if neighboring states enact the same legislation. States cannot independently change time zones or alter the duration of daylight saving time, which starts and ends on legally mandated dates. So, Congress needs to act before the states.
In Congress, the situation is as follows: five bills are pending, including HR 1,474, which would make the observance of daylight saving time optional.
States Seeking Permanent Daylight Saving Time
- 2022: Colorado and Kentucky
- 2021: Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Montana
- 2020: Idaho, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming
- 2019: Delaware, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington
- 2018: Florida (California voters also authorized the change in 2018, but legislative action is still pending)
For now, the way is to follow the rule. So, get ready to lose an hour next Sunday.
Source: NCSL