Will the U.S. Finally Stop Changing Clocks? 19 States Approve Permanent Daylight Saving Time

The annual ritual of springing forward returned on March 8, 2026, yet for residents in nearly 20 states, the shift feels increasingly redundant. While the Uniform Time Act of 1966 mandates that most of the U.S. adjust its clocks twice a year, a growing coalition of 19 states, including Florida, Texas, and California, has already voted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. 

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), over 750 bills and resolutions have been considered since 2015 to lock the clock. Despite this momentum and the recent reintroduction of the Sunshine Protection Act in the 119th Congress, federal law remains the primary hurdle, preventing states from ditching the switch without a literal Act of Congress.

Which 19 States have approved Permanent Daylight Saving Time?

Since Florida first led the charge in 2018, eighteen other states have followed suit, passing legislation or resolutions to stay on Daylight Saving Time year-round. These laws are currently trigger laws, meaning they are ready to go the moment federal authorization is granted.

Note: While California voters approved a ballot measure in 2018, the state legislature still requires a final vote to implement the change.

What is the Status of the Sunshine Protection Act?

The federal solution, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, remains a focal point in the 119th Congress. While the Senate famously passed a version of this bill by unanimous consent in 2022, it has consistently hit a wall in the House of Representatives.

• The Health Conflict: Lawmakers are divided between those who want more evening light (Permanent DST) and health experts, like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, who argue for Permanent Standard Time, citing better alignment with the human circadian rhythm.

• The Economic Impact: Proponents argue that permanent extra evening light boosts the retail and tourism industries, while critics suggest it makes winter mornings dangerously dark for school children.

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Why can't states just opt out of the Clock Change?

Under current Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, states have a one-way choice. They can opt to stay on Standard Time year-round (as Arizona and Hawaii do) without federal permission. However, the Uniform Time Act strictly prohibits states from adopting Daylight Saving Time permanently. To get that extra hour of evening sun in the winter, Congress must first amend the law.

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While the legislative gears in Washington, D.C., turn slowly, the public outcry against "spring forward" fatigue is at an all-time high. Until the Sunshine Protection Act clears both chambers of Congress, Americans must continue to adjust their watches, even as their local governments wait for the green light to stay permanent.