A Florida congressional representative wants to ditch daylight saving time for good, and he’s got a new plan on the table.
Rep. William Steube just introduced the “Daylight Act of 2026,” a bill that would scrap daylight saving time across the country. But he’s not just ending the twice-a-year clock shuffle. Steube wants to take things a step further by amending the Calder Act of 1918, the law that set up America’s five time zones and first brought us DST.
Here’s his proposal: Instead of moving clocks forward and back every year, the U.S. would permanently shift all time zones a half hour ahead of the current standard. So, for example, where it’s now UTC-5, it’d become UTC-4:30. The bill spells it out: every time zone moves up by thirty minutes. If Congress gives the green light, the change kicks in 90 days after the president signs it.
Right now, the proposal is stuck in committee, waiting for any sign of movement. Nothing’s changed on the legislative front yet.
So, what would life in Florida, or anywhere in the U.S., look like if this passes?
For starters, we’d get more daylight in the evenings, all year long. That’s a win for anyone who likes to get outside after work or school. But there’s a trade-off: winter mornings would be a lot darker. Sunrise would come later, which could be tough on early risers and families with kids heading to school.
The other big plus? No more fiddling with clocks twice a year. People hate that, and it messes with everyone’s routines. Businesses could see a bump, too, since longer evenings get folks out shopping, dining, or staying active.
Of course, not everyone’s on board. Health experts often push for permanent standard time instead, arguing that it lines up better with our internal clocks and has real benefits for sleep and overall health. The clock changes themselves aren’t just annoying; they can actually raise the risk of heart attacks and other health issues. Permanent standard time would also mean brighter mornings, which helps with safety for morning commuters, including kids walking to school.
So, here’s where things stand: Most people agree it’s time to stop changing the clocks. But nobody can agree on what to do next. Some want those long, bright evenings; others care more about the health perks of sticking to standard time. For now, the debate keeps ticking along.
