Daylight Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7378
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Daylight Act of 2026 aims to create a permanent adjustment to standard time across the United States by shifting all time zones forward by 30 minutes and eliminating the practice of Daylight Saving Time (DST). This would result in fixed, year-round time without seasonal clock changes, providing more evening daylight during standard hours.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to the Calder Act (1918): Updates the definitions of standard time zones in Section 1 of the Calder Act (codified at 15 U.S.C. 261). Specifically, it revises the time offsets from Greenwich Mean Time (now known as Coordinated Universal Time or UTC) for each zone by reducing the "hours behind" by 0.5 hours. For example:
- Changes offsets from 4 hours to 3.5 hours.
- Changes 5 hours to 4.5 hours.
- Continues this pattern up to 11 hours becoming 10.5 hours.
This effectively introduces half-hour time zones (e.g., Eastern Time would shift from UTC-5 to UTC-4:30).
- Repeal of Daylight Saving Time: Completely removes Section 3 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a), which authorizes the annual advancement of clocks by one hour during DST periods (typically March to November).
- Effective Date: The changes take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shift in Standard Time: Previously, U.S. time zones used whole-hour offsets from UTC (e.g., Pacific Standard Time at UTC-8). The bill introduces half-hour offsets, permanently advancing all clocks by 30 minutes without the need for seasonal adjustments.
- Elimination of DST: Ends the twice-yearly clock changes (spring forward and fall back) that have been in place since 1966, except during temporary suspensions like World War II. This repeals the federal authorization for DST, though states could still opt out under existing rules if they border states not observing it.
- No new authority is given to states or territories; the focus is on a nationwide, uniform shift to permanent standard time (adjusted forward).
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Daily routines, such as work schedules, school start times, and sleep patterns, could shift due to the 30-minute advancement and lack of DST transitions. This might increase evening daylight, potentially benefiting outdoor activities, retail, and energy use (less lighting needed in evenings), but could disrupt morning commutes or agriculture in some regions.
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Department of Transportation (which oversees time standards) would need to update systems, signage, and coordination with railroads and airlines. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would adjust official time dissemination.
- On International Relations: U.S. time zones would no longer align perfectly with whole-hour global standards, potentially complicating cross-border travel, trade, and telecommunications with neighbors like Canada and Mexico. International flights and financial markets might require recalibration.
- Broader effects could include minor energy savings from reduced DST switching (avoiding adjustment costs) and health benefits from stable sleep schedules, though initial confusion during the 90-day transition period is likely.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- General Public: All Americans, particularly those in transportation, education, healthcare, and farming, who rely on consistent timekeeping.
- Businesses and Industries: Retail, energy, aviation, and broadcasting sectors would face operational adjustments, such as updating software, schedules, and employee shifts.
- State and Local Governments: May need to amend local ordinances; states currently observing permanent DST (e.g., Hawaii, most of Arizona) would align with the new standard.
- International Partners: Canada, Mexico, and global organizations like the International Telecommunication Union, due to time zone synchronization.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill builds on existing federal authority over interstate commerce and time standards (rooted in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution), but the half-hour shift could prompt challenges if seen as overreach into state timekeeping. It does not require congressional approval for DST observance, effectively standardizing time nationwide.
- Constitutional: No direct conflicts, as time regulation is a delegated federal power, but it might indirectly affect interstate coordination under the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
- Political: Revives long-standing debates on DST's benefits (e.g., energy conservation vs. health disruptions from clock changes). The bill's introduction in a future Congress (119th, starting 2025) suggests potential for partisan divides, with support from pro-daylight advocates and opposition from those preferring traditional time. If enacted, it could set a precedent for further time reforms without needing annual reauthorization.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Daylight Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (3 pages)