JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The United States is one step closer to saying goodbye to the infamous biannual clock change.
The U.S. House passed the Sunlight Protection Act on Tuesday, a bill that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent nationwide. If it becomes law, the change will end the annual routine of springing forward in March and falling back in November.
Standard time is the baseline from November to March, while Daylight Saving Time is the hour shift ahead during the warmer months.
Most states observe Daylight Savings Time except for Hawaii and parts of Arizona.
Wynne resident Martha Baldwin said she’s ready for consistency, no matter which option lawmakers choose.
“I would be glad for them to make it one time all year long,” Baldwin said. “Whichever way they want to do it is fine with me. I just don’t like the change.”
Supporters of the bill argue that keeping the same time year-round would help protect children’s sleep schedules and could reduce seasonal depression. Opponents, including many in the farming community, have raised concerns about later sunrises and potential economic impacts if daylight saving time becomes permanent.
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where its future is uncertain.
A similar proposal was pushed in January 2025 by Florida Sen. Rick Scott, but it did not move forward after Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton blocked it from advancing by unanimous consent. The House version was sponsored by Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan.
Some Arkansans say they prefer the extra hour of sleep that comes with the fall change but still don’t see a downside to ending the switch.
“I like the fall back,” Amouria Maufas said, a student at Arkansas State. “Of course, I don’t like losing an hour of sleep. I think keeping it the same year-round won’t hurt anybody.”
For now, Americans will continue changing their clocks until the Senate approves the measure and sends it to the President.
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