"Extra Daylight in 2022: U.S. Senate Backs Sunshine Protection Act, but Georgia Holds Out for Fall Back"

Mark your calendars: Daylight Saving Time is fast approaching, and Georgia residents must prepare to "fall back" at 2 a.m. EST on Sunday, November 6. The "Sunshine Protection Act," introduced by Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, has gained unanimous approval from the U.S. Senate, yet it remains to be passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by President Biden before it can take effect.

According to the Athens Banner Herald, the General Assembly passed a bill in March of last year adopting year-round daylight saving time. Still, national-level changes must be made by Congress before it takes effect. Georgia lawmakers passed the permanent daylight saving time bill on the final day of the 2021 legislative session, but the state Senate expressed a preference for standard time in February by passing a bill to implement standard time permanently. Later, the House of Representatives, siding with daylight saving time, passed its bill, and the Senate ultimately chose that version during the final vote.

Despite lawmakers' initial division over standard or daylight time, they were united in their goal of eliminating the practice of twice-yearly time adjustments for Georgians.

What is daylight saving time?

According to timeanddate.com, daylight saving time aims to conserve energy by setting clocks ahead by one hour during spring, summer, and fall to make use of more sunlight in the evenings. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, establishing daylight saving time as a national standard. The act intended to conserve energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting in homes during longer daylight periods.

Is it daylight saving time or daylight savings time?

It is daylight saving time, without an apostrophe or hyphen, and not capitalized. However, various online searches may often yield results for "Daylight Saving Time," "daylight savings," or "daylight savings time."

Who regulates daylight saving time?

The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the nation's time zones and uniform observance of daylight saving time, reports transportation.gov, tasked with transportation tracking.

When Will Daylight Saving Time Occur in 2022?

Mark your calendars for 2 a.m. EST on Sunday, November 6th, when daylight saving time begins, causing Georgia residents to "fall back" or adjust their clocks by one hour.

When Will Daylight Saving Time Happen in 2023?

In 2023, daylight saving time will commence at 2 a.m. EST on Sunday, March 12th, requiring a "spring forward" by one hour, and at 2 a.m. EST on Sunday, November 5th, necessitating a "fall back."

What Does the Sunshine Protection Act Propose?

The bipartisan-supported Sunshine Protection Act introduced by Senator Marco Rubio from Florida and seven other members of Congress in March 2022 is designed to preserve daylight saving time permanently throughout the year instead of just eight months. The legislation aims to make daylight saving time permanent across the United States.

Access the Sunshine Protection Act bill at congress.gov by clicking here.

What is the Standard Time Act of 1918?

The Standard Time Act of 1918 introduced federal regulations to standardize time, including daylight saving time, which the U.S. Department of Transportation oversaw. The Interstate Commerce Commission was responsible for establishing the boundaries between the standard time zones in the U.S until Congress created the DOT in 1966, transferring the responsibility to DOT.

What is the Uniform Time Act of 1966?

With the creation of the U.S. Department of Transportation in 1966, the Uniform Time Act established standardized daylight saving time across the United States, eliminating confusion regarding when it would take effect.

Which States Don't Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Hawaii and Arizona don't observe daylight saving time, and there's no need to alter clocks in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Marianas.

Which States Don't Want to Observe Daylight Saving Time?

More than 30 states are considering legislation related to abolishing the twice-yearly adjustment of clocks, and seven states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Florida, have already approved similar bills. However, they're still awaiting the authorization of Congress to effect such changes.

Which Countries Use Daylight Saving Time?

Over 70 countries worldwide observe daylight saving time, impacting over one billion people every year. Begin and end dates often differ from nation to nation.

What Are the Advantages of Daylight Saving Time?

The most significant potential benefit of permanent daylight saving time is the avoidance of sleep disruptions. It eliminates the need to alter your clock twice a year in the autumn or spring, resulting in more time during the day to go about your business. According to experts, permanent daylight saving time is also better for your health, as bedtime schedules and waking patterns don't have to alter.

Contributors: Dave Williams, Athens Banner Herald; Ginny Beagan, USA TODAY Network-Florida; Mike Snider, USA TODAY.