Permanent time observation in the United States

Permanent standard time refers to the year-round observation of standard time. Likewise, permanent daylight saving time refers to the year-round observation of daylight saving time (DST). Both permanent standard time and permanent DST eliminate the practice of biannual clock changes, specifically the advancement of clocks by one hour from standard time to DST in spring (commonly called "spring forward") and the retraction of clocks by one hour from DST to standard time in fall ("fall back"). In the United States, Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation), Hawaii, and all territories observe permanent standard time. Observation of permanent DST is forbidden by the Uniform Time Act.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 formalized the specification of time zones and the dates of DST observation in the United States. Prior to this law, time zones and DST observation in America were independent and erratic across states and cities.[1][2] The law requires states to change clocks biannually between standard time and DST on federally mandated dates, and it permits states to opt out of DST observation altogether and remain on permanent Standard Time. It does not permit observation of permanent DST.

Permanent standard time

Prior to the introduction of DST, all American states observed permanent Standard Time. Presently, Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation), Hawaii, and all US territories observe permanent Standard Time. A number of states have proposed bills to restore observation of permanent standard time, but few have yet to gain ground.[3][4][5]

Permanent standard time is considered by circadian health researchers worldwide to be the best option for health, safety, schools, and economy.[6][7][8][9][10] They warn that the human body "never adjusts"[10] to DST, and that permanent observation of DST would result in "permanent social jet lag".[7] Experts such as Dr. Till Roenneberg argue that evidence from extreme edges of time zones, extensions of DST, and permanent observation of DST demonstrate this phenomenon "significantly"[9] increases rates of disease and accidents, and lowers productivity and wages.[11] Permanent standard time is supported by advocates for school children, both for the health benefits of circadian alignment, and for the safety advantages regarding morning commutes.[12][13][14] Permanent standard time is supported by certain religious communities, such as Orthodox Jews, whose daily prayers and other customs are synchronized with times of sunrise and sunset.[15][16][17] Permanent standard time is supported by environmental advocates, owing to evidence that DST observation increases driving, morning heating, and evening air conditioning, which all in turn increase energy consumption and pollution.[18][19]

Permanent daylight saving time

A change in federal law would be necessary to allow states to observe DST permanently all year. A number of states have pursued state bills, resolutions, and referenda to indicate intention to observe permanent DST if federal law would permit it.

As a work-around to the Uniform Time Act's prohibition on permanent DST, a bloc of states in New England has proposed a statutory move from the Eastern Time Zone to the Atlantic Time Zone (Atlantic Time being one hour ahead of Eastern Time), and then abolishing biannual clock changes. If approved by the Department of Transportation, such a move would effectively put these states on permanent DST without needing to await amendment to the Uniform Time Act by Congress. Similarly, on the West Coast, Washington state passed both a bill for permanent DST (which again cannot be enacting without change to federal law by Congress) and an alternative bill to move the state's official observation from the Pacific Time Zone to the Mountain Time Zone.[20]

In 2019, Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduced to Congress the "Sunshine Protection Act", a bill to permit states to observe permanent DST. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where it has yet to receive a hearing.[21]

Seasonal observation of DST was first enacted in the US during World Wars I and II, as an attempt conserve fuel. The practice was unpopular and promptly repealed after each war; however, lobbyists from the petroleum industry lobbied to restore DST, as they had noticed it actually increased fuel consumption. Petroleum lobbyists joined with lobbyists from golf and candy corporations in the 1980s to form the National Daylight Saving Time Coalition, and they have twice since succeeded in extending the length of DST's observation from six months to seven in 1986, and again to eight months in 2005.[1][15][18][22][23] The observation of DST has also been found to increase residential energy costs and pollution costs by several million dollars per year.[24]

Permanent DST in the US was briefly enacted by President Nixon in 1974, in response to the 1973 oil crisis. The proposal was initially supported by an estimated 79% of the public; that support dropped to 42% after its first winter, owing to the harshness of dark winter mornings that permanent DST creates. An estimated eight school children were also slain by motorists due to the new law. The new permanent DST law was retracted within the year.[1][2][25][26]

Table of state-level legislative actions
StateLegislation for permanent standard timeLegislation for permanent DSTNoteReference
 AlabamaPending
(as of 2020; HB 215)		[5]
 AlaskaPending
(as of 2020; HB 292)		[5]
 ArizonaSuccess
(March 21, 1968; A.R.S. § 1-242;
SB 1, Senate 23–5–2, House 49–1–10)		Has observed permanent standard time since 1968; see also Time in Arizona[5][27]:629[28]
 ArkansasFailure[5]
 CaliforniaPending[5]
 ColoradoFailureFailure[5][29]
 ConnecticutFailureDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
 DelawareSuccess[5]
 FloridaSuccess[5]
 GeorgiaPendingPendingMultiple bills, at least one of which depends on voter approval[5]
 HawaiiSuccess
(March 30, 1967; H.R.S. §1-31;
HB 18, Act 4)		Has observed permanent standard time since 1967; see also Time in Hawaii[5][30]
 IdahoPendingPendingMultiple bills, at least one of which depends on neighboring states' participation[5]
 IllinoisPendingPending[5]
 Indiana[5]
 IowaPendingPending[5]
 KansasPendingPending[5]
 KentuckyPending[5]
 LouisianaSuccess[5]
 MaineSuccessDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
 MarylandPending[5]
 MassachusettsPending[5]
 MichiganPending[5]
 MinnesotaPendingPending[5]
 MississippiPendingPending[5]
 MissouriPendingDependent on a minimum number of states' participation[5]
 MontanaFailureFailureMultiple bills, at least one of which depends on voter approval[5]
 NebraskaPendingDependent on a minimum number of states' participation[5]
 Nevada[5]
 New HampshireFailureDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
 New JerseyPending[5]
 New MexicoFailurePending[5]
 New YorkPendingPending[5]
 North CarolinaPending[5]
 North DakotaFailure[5]
 OhioPendingPending[5]
 OklahomaPending[5]
 OregonFailureSuccessDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
 PennsylvaniaPendingPending[5]
 Rhode IslandFailureDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
 South CarolinaPendingMultiple bills, at least one of which depends on voter approval[5]
 South DakotaPending[5]
 TennesseeSuccess[5]
 TexasFailureFailureMultiple bills, at least one of which depends on voter approval[5]
 UtahSuccessDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
 VermontPendingPending[5]
 VirginiaFailureFailureDependent on a state review of impact[5]
 WashingtonSuccessDependent on a state review of impact[5]
 West VirginiaPending[5]
 Wisconsin[5]
 WyomingPendingDependent on neighboring states' participation[5]
gollark: Fascinating. Sounds like an inconvenient time to do that.
gollark: Denied.
gollark: Naturally.
gollark: I can say, personally, that I have a *great* not accidentally choking anyone to death or close to death record.
gollark: Didn't he repeatedly say "I can't breathe"? That seems like a clear indication that someone can't breathe.

See also

References
  1. Downing, Michael (August 9, 2005). "Endless Summer". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  2. Downing, Michael (March 9, 2018). "100 years later, the madness of daylight saving time endures". The Conversation. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  3. Korch, Travers (March 4, 2015). "The financial history of daylight saving". Bankrate. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  4. Hammill, Roxie (February 14, 2020). "Changing Clocks Is Bad For Your Health, But Which Time To Choose?". Kaiser Health News. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  5. "Daylight Saving Time – State Legislation". ncsl.org. National Conference of State Legislatures. March 4, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  6. Ogliore, Talia (October 24, 2019). "WashU Expert: This year, let's make standard time permanent". The Source. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  7. "Year-round daylight time will cause 'permanent jet lag,' sleep experts warn in letter to government". CBC News. October 31, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  8. Roenneberg, Till; Wirz-Justice, Anna; Skene, Debra J.; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Wright, Kenneth P.; Dijk, Derk-Jan; Zee, Phyllis; Gorman, Michael R.; Winnebeck, Eva C.; Klerman, Elizabeth B. (June 6, 2019). "Why Should We Abolish Daylight Saving Time?". Journal of Biological Rhythms. 34 (3): 227–230. doi:10.1177/0748730419854197. PMC 7205184. PMID 31170882.
  9. "Turn back the clock on Daylight Savings: Why Standard Time all year round is the healthy choice". The Globe and Mail. November 2, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  10. Curtis, Annie (October 28, 2019). "Daylight saving time: harmed by hands of the clock". The Irish Times. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  11. Roenneberg, Till; Winnebeck, Eva C.; Klerman, Elizabeth B. (August 7, 2019). "Daylight Saving Time and Artificial Time Zones – A Battle Between Biological and Social Times". Frontiers in Physiology. 10: 944. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00944. PMC 6692659. PMID 31447685.
  12. Jenkins, Evan (January 31, 1974). "Schools Ask End to Daylight Time". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  13. Achenbach, Joel (March 8, 2019). "Springing forward to daylight saving time is obsolete, confusing and unhealthy, critics say". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  14. "Permanent daylight savings may cancel out changes to school start times". Cell Press. April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  15. Cohen, Benyamin (April 24, 2019). "Do we still need daylight saving time?". Mother Nature Network. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  16. Eller, Sandy (March 13, 2018). "Florida's Proposed Change To Permanent Daylight Savings Time Could Create Halachic Problems For Jewish Community". Vos Iz Neias. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  17. "Orthodox Group Asks Congressman to Withdraw Year-round Daylight Time Bill". Jewish Telegraph Agency. July 19, 1972. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  18. Porter, Catherine (March 9, 2008). "Why daylight saving time is bad for the environment". The Star. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  19. Livingston, Amy (2016). "Is Daylight Savings Time Helpful or Harmful? – History & Effects". Money Crashers. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  20. Goble, Keith (March 8, 2019). "Action pursued in 30 states to end time changes". Land Line. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  21. Rubio, Marco (March 6, 2019). "S.670 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Sunshine Protection Act of 2019". www.congress.gov. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  22. Schlanger, Zoë (November 4, 2017). "Daylight Saving Time as Americans know it was instituted by corporate lobbies, not farmers". Quartz. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  23. Houston, Paul (June 25, 1986). "Congress OKs 3 More Weeks of Daylight Time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  24. "Does daylight saving time save electricity?". Centre for Economic Policy Research. December 5, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  25. Clark, James (October 31, 2018). "Daylight saving year-round: Once a disaster, always a disaster". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  26. Ripley, Anthony (October 1, 1974). "Senate Votes Return to Standard Time For Four Months and Sends Bill to Ford". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  27. "Session laws, State of Arizona, 1968, Twenty-Eighth Legislature, Second Regular Session, Second to Fourth Special Sessions". State of Arizona. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  28. "Journal of the Senate, State of Arizona, 1968, Twenty-Eighth Legislature, Second Regular Session, Fourth Special Session". Arizona Memory Project. 1968. p. 740.
  29. Burness, Alex (February 20, 2020). "Colorado movement to abolish daylight saving time remains hopeful despite loss". The Denver Post. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  30. "SLH 1967 Act 4" (PDF). Government of Hawaii. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
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