Sunshine Protection Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 139
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T08:06:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 seeks to eliminate the seasonal practice of changing clocks twice a year in the United States by making daylight saving time (DST)—the period with clocks set forward by one hour—permanent throughout the year. This would provide consistent "later" sunlight in the evenings year-round without disrupting standard time zones.
Key Provisions
- Repeal of DST Mandate: The bill repeals Section 3 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which requires DST to be observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November each year.
- Adjustment to Standard Time: It amends the Calder Act of 1918 (15 U.S.C. 261) by advancing the definition of standard time zones by one hour. For example, what was previously Eastern Standard Time (EST) would shift to what is effectively Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) as the new baseline, applying this shift across all U.S. time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian).
- State Flexibility for Opt-Outs: States or areas that had previously exempted themselves from DST (under the old law) can choose to either adopt the new advanced standard time or retain their previous standard time. This preserves local control for places like Arizona or Hawaii that do not currently observe DST.
- Conforming Changes: Updates references in the law to remove exceptions tied to the repealed DST provisions, ensuring the new permanent time aligns with existing time zone frameworks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Ends the federal requirement for seasonal time changes, replacing the temporary DST period with a permanent version of it as the new standard.
- Shifts the baseline for standard time forward by one hour nationwide, meaning clocks would no longer "fall back" in the fall; instead, winter months would have the same clock time as current DST but with earlier sunrises.
- Maintains but clarifies state exemptions, allowing opt-out states to decide without needing new federal approval, which was previously required for DST participation.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Reduces disruptions from biannual clock adjustments, potentially improving sleep patterns, reducing accidents linked to time shifts, and providing more evening daylight for outdoor activities, recreation, and commerce during winter months. However, mornings would be darker year-round.
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies handling transportation, broadcasting, and scheduling (e.g., FAA, FCC) would need to update systems and policies for the permanent shift, with minimal ongoing costs after implementation. States opting out could create minor inconsistencies in time across borders.
- On International Relations: Could affect coordination with countries or regions that do not observe similar time changes, such as parts of Canada or Mexico, potentially requiring bilateral adjustments for trade, travel, or communications.
- Broader Effects: May influence energy use (e.g., less lighting needed in evenings) and economic activities like retail or farming, though these are not directly addressed in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- General Public: All U.S. residents, particularly those in daily routines impacted by time (e.g., commuters, students, shift workers).
- States and Local Governments: Especially those that have opted out of DST (e.g., most of Arizona, Hawaii), as they gain choices on time alignment; border states may face coordination challenges.
- Businesses and Industries: Sectors like agriculture, transportation, energy, and retail could see operational changes due to consistent daylight patterns.
- Federal Agencies: Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Energy involved in time standardization and enforcement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal uniformity in time observance under the Commerce Clause (which justifies national time laws for interstate coordination) while respecting state exemptions under the Tenth Amendment, avoiding potential challenges to local autonomy.
- Constitutional: No direct conflicts anticipated, as the bill builds on existing federal authority over time zones established since 1918; it does not infringe on state rights beyond what's already permitted.
- Political: Revives a long-standing debate on DST's benefits versus drawbacks (e.g., health vs. energy savings), potentially facing opposition from health advocates concerned about darker mornings or support from business groups favoring extended evening hours. Passage would require Senate approval and presidential signature, marking a policy shift after multiple failed attempts in prior Congresses.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (34)
Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (4 pages)