Congress Is One Vote Away from Ending the Twice Yearly Clock Change

Congress is close to approving a bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the nation.

The U.S. House is set to vote on the Sunshine Protection Act. In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a version of that bill, but it was never voted on by the House of Representatives. President Trump is now pushing to get the measure passed.

What Happens in Louisiana if the Bill Passes in Congress?

Louisiana lawmakers approved a law back in 2020 to stay at Daylight Saving Time if Congress ever passes the Sunshine Protection Act. House Bill 132 was authored by Haughton Rep. Dodie Horton and it will make Daylight Saving Time the state's permanent standard time if Congress first changes federal law. This is known as a trigger law. It takes effect if Congress takes action. Horton tells KEEL News she is thrilled Congress might soon take action on this measure.

READ MORE: Some say time change is bad for your health

Current federal law allows states to remain on Standard Time throughout the year, as Arizona and Hawaii largely do, but it does not permit states to permanently observe Daylight Saving Time. Because of this restriction, we change our clocks twice a year. But that could soon be changing.

When Would the Law Take Effect?

The law does not have a specific calendar effective date. But it does say it takes effect immediately once the federal measure takes effect. So we will have to wait to see when the federal legislation kicks in.

In May, the House Energy and Commerce Committee backed the "Sunshine Protection Act," on a 48-1 vote.

President Trump wrote on Truth Social "this is so important in that hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every year by people, cities, and states, being forced to change their clocks. I am going to work very hard to see The Sunshine Protection Act signed into Law."

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18 other states have followed in Louisiana's footsteps and passed trigger laws that kick in once Congress acts. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent year-round for the state, if Congress allowed for the time change to take effect.