Permanent time observation in the United States

Establishing either permanent standard or daylight saving time (DST) eliminates the practice of semi-annual clock changes, specifically the advancement of clocks by one hour from standard time to DST on the second Sunday in March (commonly called "spring forward") and the retraction of clocks by one hour from DST to standard time on the first Sunday in November ("fall back").

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 semiannually 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, but does not permit observation of permanent DST.^[3] Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation), Hawaii, and all permanently inhabited territories observe permanent standard time.

Studies have shown the semi-annual clock changes result in sleep disturbances, ultimately resulting in more health problems and traffic accidents.^[4]^[5] Legislators in 25 states have attempted to switch to either permanent standard time or permanent DST. Currently more states are pursuing permanent DST.^[6]

^ Downing, Michael (August 9, 2005). "Endless Summer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
^ Downing, Michael (March 9, 2018). "100 Years Later, the Madness of Daylight Saving Time Endures". The Conversation. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
^ 15 U.S. Code § 260a.Advancement of time or changeover dates (a). August 30, 1991. Retrieved September 20, 2021. Archived October 16, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Turn Back the Clock on Daylight Savings: Why Standard Time All Year Round Is the Healthy Choice". The Globe and Mail. November 2, 2019. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
^ Curtis, Annie (October 28, 2019). "Daylight Saving Time: Harmed by Hands of the Clock". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
^ "Daylight Saving Time | State Legislation". National Conference of State Legislatures. April 24, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.

[downing_2005-1] Downing, Michael (August 9, 2005). "Endless Summer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.

[downing_2018-2] Downing, Michael (March 9, 2018). "100 Years Later, the Madness of Daylight Saving Time Endures". The Conversation. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.

[us_code-3] 15 U.S. Code § 260a.Advancement of time or changeover dates (a). August 30, 1991. Retrieved September 20, 2021. Archived October 16, 2021, at the Wayback Machine

[cermakian-4] "Turn Back the Clock on Daylight Savings: Why Standard Time All Year Round Is the Healthy Choice". The Globe and Mail. November 2, 2019. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.

[curtis-5] Curtis, Annie (October 28, 2019). "Daylight Saving Time: Harmed by Hands of the Clock". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2020.

[ncsl-6] "Daylight Saving Time | State Legislation". National Conference of State Legislatures. April 24, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.

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