State lawmakers across the country have introduced bills in over half the states this year aiming to eliminate the twice-annual time shift. But with the legislative year barely half over, many of those proposals have already hit a dead end.
At least one bill in a dozen states has failed to advance. Some were outright rejected; others languished in committee as legislative sessions closed. The pattern underscores the persistent difficulty of building consensus on a change that affects everything from school schedules to energy consumption.
Georgia’s Near-Miss
In Georgia, a bill to lock the clocks nearly made it. The measure passed the state House last year, but its original purpose was to designate ambulance services as essential. This year, the Senate rewrote the bill to end seasonal time changes, but it failed to get final approval before the session ended.
Georgia’s experience mirrors that of other states where the issue has been a perennial but elusive goal. While polls show public support for ending the clock switch, lawmakers remain divided over whether to adopt permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time.
Where Bills Have Died
Among the states where daylight saving time legislation has stalled are:
- Alabama
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
In several cases, bills passed one chamber but got stuck in the other. In others, they never made it out of committee. The reasons vary: some lawmakers worry about impacts on commerce, while others question whether states can act without federal approval.
Federal Hurdles Remain
Even if states pass laws, they still need a green light from Congress to change time zones permanently. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time year-round, has stalled at the federal level. That leaves states in a holding pattern, with many reluctant to act without federal certainty.
The issue intersects with broader political debates. For instance, redistricting battles have dominated statehouses this year, pushing time change bills to the back burner. Meanwhile, migration patterns show that residents are voting with their feet, and some lawmakers see time zone alignment as a way to attract businesses.
What’s Next?
With federal legislation stalled, advocates are looking to 2024. Some states may try again next year, while others may wait for a national solution. For now, Americans will continue to spring forward and fall back, with the next clock change set for November 5, 2023.
The two-paycheck months of 2023 may offer a small consolation for those who find the time shift disruptive. But for those hoping for a permanent fix, the wait continues.
