Will Daylight Saving Time ever become permanent?

(WJW) — Many federal and state lawmakers think it’s time to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. But each of congressmembers’ attempts over the last several years have fizzled out.

The Ohio House late last year adopted a resolution urging Congress to enact permanent Daylight Saving Time. Instead of “springing forward” on the second Sunday of March then “falling back” on the first Sunday in November, we’d just set it and forget it in March.

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State lawmakers have the power to keep their state on standard time — which starts in November and ends when we spring forward in March — but they don’t have the authority to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. That must be a congressional act, since the time change is enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

But in Washington, bicameral bills to “lock the clock” — dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act” — didn’t go anywhere in 2021. Or in 2019. Or 2018.

The Senate’s most recent iteration, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023, was referred to the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in March 2023, but hasn’t moved since.

The Senate’s versions were all put forth by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who’s once again calling for action on the bill ahead of the Sunday time change.

“We’re ‘springing forward’ but should have never ‘fallen back,'” Rubio is quoted in a news release this week. “My Sunshine Protection Act would end this stupid practice of changing our clocks back and forth.”

According to Rubio’s office, permanent Daylight Saving Time would reduce the number of car crashes and accidents involving pedestrians; prevent robberies; cut back the risk for seasonal depression, cardiac problems and stroke; and conserve energy, among other benefits.

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The Ohio House’s resolution urging Congress to take action went to the Senate’s General Government committee before the end of last year, but has yet to have a hearing.

“It’s time to make Daylight Saving Time permanent,” sponsoring state Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria said last year. “The committee process revealed a number of benefits to making this change, such as making Ohio roads safer and supporting mental health.”

As of this week, Ohio is one of at least 30 states that has enacted some type of legislation or resolution in favor of the change, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Unlike the rest of the country, those living in Arizona and Hawaii didn’t spring forward Sunday, according to the NCSL. Lawmakers in both states approved measures to stay on standard time year-round.

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