Daylight Saving Time makes its return on Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m.– time to move the clocks forward one hour.
The much debated annual process of changing clocks back in fall and ahead in spring began during World War I as a way to conserve energy. In 1966, the Uniform Time Act established the current practice of Daylight Saving Time, which runs from March through November. The Energy Policy of 2005 made Daylight Saving Time four weeks longer.
Only Congress or the Secretary of Transportation can make a time-zone adjustments. It is the United States Department of Transportation that is responsible for overseeing time zones as well as Daylight Saving Time. The Uniform Time Act was passed to bring order to the countries clocks because up until that point each state regulated their own clocks, which lead to a bit of confusion in many spots. Since the Uniform Time Act was not made mandatory, people living in Arizona and Hawaii do not have to move their clocks ahead one hour before going to bed. US Commonwealths also do not adjust their clocks in fall and spring.
The debate over the fall and spring time changes rages despite many states passing legislation to keep Daylight Saving Time in place all year. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would keep Daylight Saving Time year round for everyone in the United States, had momentum. It passed the Senate in 2022 by an unanimous vote, but hit a roadblock in Congress. The bill ended up expiring during Congress’ final session last year. Florida Senator Marco Rubio reintroduced the legislation last week. If it passes the Senate and Congress this time, the bill will end Daylight Saving Time.
For now though, get ready to move the clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday. Daylight Saving Time is set to end on Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m.