Which states don't observe daylight saving time? - USA Today

While the country and lawmakers debate over making daylight saving time permanent, some parts of the United States remain on standard time year-round, eliminating the need for twice-yearly clock changes.

Under current federal law, states can exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time through state legislation, but they cannot adopt permanent daylight saving time, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which oversees daylight saving time and U.S. time zones.

Daylight saving time is the period from March to November when most Americans set their clocks forward by one hour, shifting more daylight into the evening. In November, when clocks "fall back," more daylight shifts to the morning.

It was implemented as an energy-saving effort during World War I and World War II and was meant to be temporary. But in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act to standardize timekeeping across a nation that had allowed states to observe daylight saving time inconsistently, according to DOT.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly called for ending the twice-yearly clock change and keeping the nation on daylight saving time year-round. He has also routinely demanded that the Senate pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would end the twice-yearly clock changes.

While the legislation passed the House in July, it has failed to clear the Senate, the last step before it lands on Trump’s desk for final sign-off.

No. Several states and U.S. territories remain on standard time year-round, according to DOT, including:

Daylight saving time across the United States ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks move back one hour to 1 a.m.

The change marks the return to standard time, giving Americans an extra hour overnight. It also brings earlier sunsets and more morning daylight as winter approaches.

Under current law, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

The answer is simple: Congress has not changed the law.

The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent and eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes, passed the House in July by a 301-117 vote. But the legislation has stalled in the Senate.

Lawmakers left Washington without taking up the measure, leaving the current system in place.

As a result, clocks across most of the country will fall back on Nov. 1.

Contributing: Reuters; Bart Jensen, Zachary Schermele, Jorge L. Ortiz, Fernando Cervantes Jr., Emily DeLetter, Julia Gomez, Kinsey Crowley/ USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.