Tennessee is one of 19 states that have enacted laws calling for year-round daylight saving time if Congress changes federal law to allow it.
The debate over changing the nation’s clock rules is back in focus as Tennessee approaches its next time change. Under current law, clocks are set to move back one hour on Nov. 1, 2026.
Back in July, the House approved the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 139, by a 308-117 vote on July 14. The vote included 193 Republicans, 114 Democrats and one independent voting in favor
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., was sent to the Senate on July 15 and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As of September, the Senate has not approved the bill, leaving the current system of switching between daylight saving time and standard time in place.
Under the current system, clocks move forward one hour in March and back one hour in November. Permanent daylight saving time would eliminate those changes, which would mean later sunrises and later sunsets by the clock during the winter. For example, a sunset that occurs around 5 p.m. under standard time could occur around 6 p.m. under permanent daylight saving time.
Permanent standard time would produce the opposite clock pattern during winter, with earlier sunrises and earlier sunsets.
The proposal has drawn different views over which time system should remain in place year-round. Supporters of permanent daylight saving time point to eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes and keeping more daylight in the evening. Opponents have raised concerns about darker winter mornings, including during early school and work commutes.
Several states have passed laws supporting year-round daylight saving time if federal law allows the change. Those states include Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
For now, the federal clock-change schedule remains unchanged while H.R. 139 awaits further action in the Senate.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
