States passing daylight saving laws

On 22 September 2026, Florida officials reaffirmed their commitment to the Sunshine Protection Act, a long-standing legislative effort to end the practice of changing clocks twice a year. Florida was one of the first states to pass legislation in 2018 aiming to make daylight saving time permanent, yet the state remains bound by federal law that prevents such a transition without congressional intervention. Recent discussions in the Florida legislature have focused on the potential benefits of permanent daylight saving time, including increased evening sunlight for tourism and retail sectors. Proponents of the measure argue that the current system is outdated and contributes to increased traffic accidents and sleep disruption. Despite the state’s proactive stance, the lack of movement at the federal level continues to be the primary obstacle. Florida lawmakers have indicated they will continue to coordinate with a coalition of other states that have passed similar measures to pressure federal representatives to prioritize the issue before the next scheduled clock change in November 2026.

On 14 September 2026, California lawmakers revisited the ongoing debate regarding the permanent adoption of daylight saving time. Despite the passage of Proposition 7 in 2018, which authorized the state legislature to transition to year-round daylight saving time, the change remains stalled due to federal restrictions. Current federal law under the Uniform Time Act of 1966 permits states to opt out of daylight saving time entirely—remaining on standard time year-round—but does not grant them the authority to observe daylight saving time permanently. During the September session, state representatives discussed potential strategies to lobby Congress for a federal exemption or a nationwide shift. While several other states have passed similar legislation contingent on federal approval, California’s latest discussions highlight the persistent frustration among state officials who argue that the biannual clock change negatively impacts public health and economic productivity. As of late September 2026, no new federal legislation has been enacted to grant states this authority, leaving California’s mandate in a state of legislative limbo until Washington takes action.