Sunday, November 3 at 2 a.m. marks the end of daylight saving time for much of the United States. Clocks will move back one hour, giving people an extra hour of sleep but also shortening daylight in the evening. However, Florida has taken steps to make daylight saving time permanent under the Sunshine Protection Act.

The History of Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time was first adopted in 1918 during World War I as an effort to conserve energy. The idea was that longer daylight hours in the evening would reduce the need for artificial lighting. However, after the war ended, the practice was abandoned by many states.

In 1966, the Uniform Time Act was passed to standardize daylight saving time across the country. This law established when states should switch their clocks and also allowed states to opt out of daylight saving time altogether. States like Arizona, Hawaii, and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands chose not to participate.

What Is the Sunshine Protection Act?

Florida’s Sunshine Protection Act was signed into law in 2018 by then-Governor Rick Scott and backed by Senator Marco Rubio. Unlike states that opted out of daylight saving time to stay on standard time year-round, Florida’s law proposes staying on daylight saving time permanently. However, this change is not currently allowed under federal law.

For Florida to enact this law, Congress must amend the Uniform Time Act to allow states to remain on daylight saving time permanently. Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Vern Buchanan have been leading efforts to pass legislation in Congress to make this possible.

Benefits of Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Supporters of the Sunshine Protection Act highlight several benefits of staying on daylight saving time year-round, including:

• Fewer car accidents: More daylight in the evening may lead to safer driving conditions.
• Lower crime rates: Studies show that robberies and other crimes decrease with longer daylight hours.
• Health benefits: Increased daylight encourages outdoor activities, which could help reduce childhood obesity.
• Economic growth: Businesses may benefit from extended daylight, leading to more consumer activity.
• Energy savings: Less need for artificial lighting and heating may reduce energy consumption.

Challenges of Staying on Daylight Saving Time

While the idea sounds beneficial, there are challenges to consider. One major concern is that Florida would be on a different time zone than the rest of the Eastern Seaboard during the winter months. If the law is enacted, Florida’s time would be one hour ahead of states like Georgia, New York, and North Carolina for part of the year. This could create confusion for businesses, travelers, and those dealing with interstate commerce.

Will the Sunshine Protection Act Take Effect?

For now, Florida will continue to follow the federal daylight saving time schedule. Unless Congress amends the Uniform Time Act, Floridians will still have to turn their clocks back in the fall and forward in the spring.

Only time will tell if the Sunshine Protection Act will eventually go into effect. Until then, Florida residents should prepare to set their clocks back with the rest of the country each year.