Daylight saving time is almost here: What to know

Americans will be turning their clocks forward in just a matter of days as most of the U.S. transitions to daylight saving time Sunday.

Most of the U.S. will move from standard time to daylight saving time Sunday, bringing later sunrises and longer days to nearly every state. Some lawmakers have introduced legislation to make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S., but those efforts have largely stalled in Congress.

Here’s what to know before the days grow longer.

When do clocks leap forward?

Daylight saving time (DST) will begin March 10 at 2 a.m. local time. Clocks will spring forward by one hour.

Standard time began Nov. 5, 2023, at 2 a.m. local time, when clocks were set back one hour. 

What states don’t observe DST

Every state in the U.S. shifts their clocks twice a year to switch between standard time and daylight saving — except Hawaii and most of Arizona. 

The American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also do not observe daylight saving time.

Why do we have DST?

Daylight saving time was once known as “war time,” according to the Department of Defense. It was initially introduced in the Standard Time Act in 1918, which allowed for additional hours to be added into the day to reduce energy costs during World War I. 

The Defense Department noted the practice was only in effect for about a year and a half before it was repealed — despite an initial veto by President Wilson. DST did not reemerge as an issue until World War II, when Congress enacted it again as a way to cut costs during the war.

It was repealed following the end of the war in 1945, and the issue of DST was not addressed again for more than 20 years.

According to the Department of Transportation, DST was officially enacted under the Uniform Time Act of 1966 to mandate standard time within already existing time zones. 

The department said a state can exempt itself from observing DST with its own laws. States that spring their clocks forward must do so on the federally mandated dates, the department said. 

What’s the status of the bill to make DST permanent?

Federal efforts to make DST permanent have been stalled in Congress. A bill to make the change hit a brick wall in the House in 2022 after the Senate passed a bill approving the shift earlier that year.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 last year. It has since been read twice and referred to a committee. Companion legislation was introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) at the time, but it was referred to a subcommittee shortly after.

“This ritual of changing time twice a year is stupid. Locking the clock has overwhelming bipartisan and popular support. This Congress, I hope that we can finally get this done,” Rubio said in a statement last year.