SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT

Last March, the U.S. Senate passed what is known as the Sunshine Protection Act, which would end the twice-a-year ritual of changing clocks by making one set time permanent.

Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act for Congress’ consideration on Thursday, marking the fourth such effort to “lock the clock” and make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

With Florida's legislative session behind us, lawmakers could soon return to Tallahassee to hammer out some key items that still need to be addressed.

The Senate has unanimously approved a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent next year.

On Sunday, Floridians will have to “spring forward” yet again to keep up with the clock.

For 2021, two Republican legislators are leading the national effort for the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time a permanently fixed practice all year round.

Rubio and other senators have been trying to pass the federal legislation needed to allow Florida’s 2018 law to actually change the state to daylight saving time. If the bill passes it would apply to the states who currently participate in daylight saving time, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Rubio and Scott introduced legislation last year citing the coronavirus pandemic as one reason why daylight saving time would be beneficial. The push to make daylight saving time permanent across the country does have support beyond politicians. AdDr. Daliah Wachs, a family medicine physician, says that one-hour time difference of daylight saving causes a spike in car crashes, workplace injuries, heart issues, fertility issues and depression.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, is trying again to make daylight saving time permanent across the country after reintroducing the Sunshine Protection Act. If the bill passes it would apply to the states who currently participate in daylight saving time, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. “Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is why the Florida legislature voted to make it permanent in 2018. Rubio and Scott introduced legislation last year citing the coronavirus pandemic as one reason why daylight saving time would be beneficial. The push to make daylight saving time permanent across the country does have support beyond politicians.

Rubio and other senators have been trying to pass the federal legislation needed to allow Florida’s 2018 law to actually change the state to daylight saving time. If the bill passes it would apply to the states who currently participate in daylight saving time, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Rubio and Scott introduced legislation last year citing the coronavirus pandemic as one reason why daylight saving time would be beneficial. The push to make daylight saving time permanent across the country does have support beyond politicians. AdDr. Daliah Wachs, a family medicine physician, says that one-hour time difference of daylight saving causes a spike in car crashes, workplace injuries, heart issues, fertility issues and depression.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s U.S. senators, known for introducing legislation on time changes, are pushing to keep the country on Daylight Saving Time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the two senators, the change will help give families stability during the pandemic. “Our government has asked a lot of the American people over the past seven months, and keeping the nation on Daylight Saving Time is just one small step we can take to help ease the burden,” Rubio said. “More daylight in the after school hours is critical to helping families and children endure this challenging school year. However, Congress has yet to pass legislation allowing Florida to have year-round Daylight Saving Time.