WASHINGTON — As the nation prepares to “spring forward” this weekend, a group of bipartisan U.S. senators are seeking to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
Under the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2021,” Daylight Saving Time (DSL) would be year-round, doing away with changing the clock twice a year.
The legislation was introduced Tuesday by Sens. Marco Rubio, of Florida, James Lankford, of Oklahoma, Roy Blunt, of Missouri, Sheldon Whitehouse, of Rhode Island, Ron Wyden, of Oregon, Cindy Hyde-Smith, of Mississippi, Rick Scott, of Florida and Ed Markey, of Massachusetts.
15 states have crafted similar laws, resolutions, or voter initiatives to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The states include: Arkansas, Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
For permanent time changes to take effect, they must first be approved by the federal government.
The “Sunshine Protection Act” would apply to states currently observing Daylight Saving Time. This year, it starts on Sunday, March 14 and ends on November 7.
