WASHINGTON, D.C. | Americans may soon be one step closer to saying goodbye to the twice-a-year ritual of changing their clocks.
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday on the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent nationwide. The proposal has the backing of President Donald Trump and passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee by a 48-1 vote earlier this year. A similar measure passed the Senate unanimously in 2022 but ultimately stalled in the House.
If approved by the House, the bill would still require Senate approval and the President’s signature before it could become law.
What it would mean for Scott County
For residents of Scott County, the biggest change would come every fall.
Instead of turning clocks back one hour each November, Tennesseans would remain on Daylight Saving Time year-round. That means:
• No more springing forward or falling back.
• More daylight during winter evenings.
• Less daylight during winter mornings.
In practical terms, December sunsets in Scott County would occur around 6:30 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m. Even at its earliest, in early December, twilight would not end until almost 7 p.m. By late January, twilight would be pushing 7:30 p.m.
However, sunrise would also be pushed back by roughly an hour, meaning the sun would not rise until after 8 a.m. during the winter months — pushing 9 a.m. by late December and early January. Civil twilight would not begin until nearly 7:30 a.m. in the dead of winter.
The actual amount of daylight would not change. The day length in Scott County would continue to range from more than 14 and a half hours in the summer to just over nine and a half hours in the winter.
Supporters say the change would provide more usable daylight after work and school, encouraging outdoor recreation, shopping, and other economic activity while eliminating the sleep disruption associated with changing clocks twice each year. They also point to studies suggesting fewer traffic accidents and workplace injuries immediately following the current spring time change.
Not everyone agrees
The proposal has drawn opposition from sleep researchers and some lawmakers who argue that permanent Standard Time — not permanent Daylight Saving Time — better aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
Critics also worry about darker winter mornings, particularly for school children waiting for buses before sunrise.
An effort in the House to instead allow a vote on permanent Standard Time was rejected before the Sunshine Protection Act advanced to the House floor.
Tennessee has already signaled support
Tennessee lawmakers approved legislation in 2019 expressing the state’s intent to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time if Congress authorizes it. Because federal law currently does not allow states to observe permanent Daylight Saving Time on their own, congressional action is required before Tennessee — or any other participating state — could make the switch.
There are 18 other states that have enacted laws or adopted formal resolutions stating they will move to permanent DST if Congress changes federal law to allow it. Among them: Alabama, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Arizona and Hawaii already observe permanent Standard Time under existing federal law. They would not be required to adopt permanent DST if Congress passes the Sunshine Protection Act.
What happens next?
The House vote is expected this week. If the measure passes, it would move to the Senate for consideration before heading to the President’s desk.
Until then, Scott County residents should still plan on changing their clocks as usual this November. The current law remains in effect until Congress approves the change and it is signed into law.
