Tampa Bay could see later sunrises with daylight saving bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., — The U.S. House on Tuesday passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced by Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan that would make daylight saving time permanent if it becomes law.

The bill passed 308-117, with six members not voting. A Senate version has been introduced by Florida Sen. Rick Scott, but there are no upcoming actions listed for that bill.

Daylight saving time is currently in effect. Under the current system, clocks return to standard time in November.

If the bill becomes law, Spectrum News meteorologists say Tampa Bay would see nearly three months of sunrises after 8 a.m. The earliest sunset would be 6:33 p.m.

Opponents of permanent daylight saving time argue the country should instead move to permanent standard time. Dr. Karin Johnson, a sleep medicine specialist and vice president of the nonprofit Save Standard Time, said she was saddened to see Congress move in that direction.

“Permanent daylight saving time has been tried twice before in the U.S. Last time, in the ’70s, it lasted four months,” Johnson said.

Save Standard Time advocates for permanent standard time, saying it would lead to better health and safety outcomes.

“People wouldn’t have to do anything at all,” Johnson said. “They would just use the power of the sun to naturally improve their sleep, and sleep is just so foundational for our health.”

University of Tampa political science professor Holley Tankersley said it is not unusual to see legislation focused on daylight saving time.

“It’s not uncommon to see legislation like this,” Tankersley said.

Tankersley said daylight saving bills were also considered by Congress in 2018, 2022 and 2025. She said the issue has continued to divide lawmakers and the public.

“There are some constituencies that really love daylight saving time, and there’s some constituencies that really would prefer standard time,” Tankersley said. “So, that’s why these kinds of bills have failed to pass.”

Buchanan celebrated the bill’s passage in the House, calling it “commonsense legislation.”

“Permanent daylight saving time will improve public safety, promote healthier and more active lifestyles and give families more daylight to enjoy after work and school,” Buchanan said in a statement.