House passes measure to make daylight saving time permanent, with state opt-out allowed

The U.S. House passed legislation on Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes for most of the country, according to CBS News Politics. The measure also includes a mechanism for states to opt out, contingent on taking action within a defined window before the federal law takes effect, CBS reported.

Under the proposal, daylight saving time would remain in effect year-round. The change would shift the policy outcome from the current system in which federal law governs seasonal time changes, while states and regions adjust when daylight time begins and ends.

The bill’s state opt-out provision is designed to address regional differences in preferences and impacts tied to the time system. CBS News reported that states would be allowed to opt out if they take the required steps before the federal law is enacted, creating a time-sensitive process for state governments.

The House action brings the measure to the next stage in Congress, where it would need to clear additional legislative hurdles before any nationwide implementation. If enacted, the measure would change federal timekeeping rules and reduce the need for seasonal coordination by federal agencies and state authorities that support the annual transition.

The proposal also raises practical questions that would be handled through federal implementation and coordination. Time changes affect transportation schedules, broadcast and communications systems, school and work routines, and other public-facing services that rely on consistent timekeeping. Under a permanent approach, those adjustments would shift from twice-yearly changes to an ongoing baseline aligned with daylight saving time.

The bill’s opt-out framework would determine how many states remain on permanent daylight time versus choosing an alternative. Because the opt-out requires prior action before enactment, state decisions could be time-bound, affecting how quickly changes are communicated to local businesses, schools, and residents.

Members’ arguments during House consideration, as described by CBS News, centered on whether the change would reduce disruptions caused by clock transitions and how the opt-out would account for regional concerns. Opponents and proponents each pointed to different impacts, but the vote outcome moved the issue forward within the legislative process.

After House passage, the bill would require action by the Senate and approval by President Donald Trump before becoming law. If the measure advances, additional details about timing, state participation, and implementation mechanics would likely be clarified through the bill’s final legislative text and any related guidance.