As winter draws to a close and the days gradually lengthen, the annual daylight saving time (DST) change approaches. In 2025, the transition will take place on Sunday, March 9, when clocks will “spring forward” at 2 a.m. ET.
For many, this routine adjustment is a simple matter of resetting their clocks. However, ongoing discussions at both the state and federal levels suggest that the practice of changing time twice a year may not be as universally accepted as it once was.
Yellow: Areas in United States on standard time all of 2025.
The Push for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
Several states have explored the idea of making daylight saving time permanent, citing various potential benefits. In Pennsylvania, for example, the state House of Representatives passed a bill in April 2021 that proposed eliminating the need for biannual clock changes. The bill, which passed with a 103-98 vote, reflects a broader conversation happening across the country.
Supporters of the change argue that a permanent shift could lead to energy savings, fewer traffic accidents, lower crime rates, and improved public health. Representative Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh County), who sponsored the Pennsylvania bill, has emphasized that adjusting clocks twice a year is an outdated practice.
“I think there is a movement afoot to go toward some type of permanent time, and I want to be a part of that,” Mackenzie told PennLive.
A Nationwide Debate
The discussion over daylight saving time reform extends beyond Pennsylvania. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), more than 650 bills and resolutions related to DST have been introduced in state legislatures in recent years. While some states have considered permanent DST, others have explored eliminating it altogether.
Federal approval is required to make daylight saving time permanent, adding another layer of complexity to the debate. In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan bill that aimed to make DST permanent nationwide. However, the legislation stalled in the House of Representatives and did not become law.
When Will Change Happen?
For now, daylight saving time remains in effect, meaning that Americans will continue to adjust their clocks twice a year. Whether future legislation leads to a shift toward permanent daylight saving time or a return to standard time year-round remains to be seen.
Until then, the familiar “spring forward, fall back” routine will continue, with the next daylight saving time period beginning on March 9, 2025.
