Twice a year, an aging ritual plays out across the United States: millions of people reach for their watches, car clocks, and oven timers to shift them forward or backward by sixty minutes. This practice, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), has become one of the most debated temporal policies in modern American history. As of April 2026, the frustration with "springing forward" and "falling back" has reached a tipping point, leading dozens of state legislatures to seek a permanent exit from the biannual shuffle. However, the path to a consistent clock is far more complex than simply flipping a switch.

The current non-observers: Arizona and Hawaii

To understand which states are getting rid of daylight savings time, one must first look at the two states that successfully opted out decades ago. Hawaii and Arizona (with the notable exception of the Navajo Nation) remain the only two states that do not observe the time change. Their reasons are rooted in geography and climate, offering a blueprint for why others want to follow suit.

Hawaii opted out in 1967. Because of its tropical latitude and proximity to the equator, the variation in daylight between summer and winter is minimal. For Hawaiians, shifting the clock would offer no tangible benefit in terms of usable evening light, so they chose to stick with Hawaii Standard Time year-round.

Arizona followed a different logic. In 1968, the state decided that an extra hour of evening sunlight in the desert heat was a liability rather than an asset. During the sweltering summer months, Arizonans prefer the sun to set earlier to allow temperatures to drop, reducing energy costs associated with air conditioning. By staying on Mountain Standard Time year-round, Arizona avoids the prolonged heat of a late-summer sunset. It is worth noting that the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, does observe DST to maintain consistency across its tribal lands, creating a unique time-zone pocket within the state.

The legal roadblock: The Uniform Time Act of 1966

The primary reason more states haven't already ditched the time change lies in a 60-year-old federal law. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established the system of DST across the country but provided a specific loophole: states can opt out of DST to remain on permanent standard time. They do not need permission from the Department of Transportation or Congress to do this.

However, there is a catch. While states can choose permanent standard time, they are legally prohibited from choosing permanent daylight saving time. If a state wants to stay "sprung forward" all year—a move that is more popular in many regions because it provides more evening light—it requires an act of Congress to change federal law. This legal distinction has created a massive legislative bottleneck.

The "Lock the Clock" movement: States in waiting

As of early 2026, more than 19 states have passed legislation or resolutions expressing a desire to move to permanent daylight saving time. These states are essentially in a "holding pattern," waiting for a federal repeal of the prohibition.

States like Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee have all signaled that they are ready to stop the clock changes immediately if the federal government allows it. In the West, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming have passed similar measures, often with the caveat that their neighbors must do the same to prevent a confusing patchwork of time zones.

In the Northeast, states like Maine and Delaware have passed bills to adopt permanent DST, provided that the regional power players—like New York or Pennsylvania—join them. This collective approach is designed to prevent economic disruptions in commuting and commerce, but it also means that progress is only as fast as the slowest legislative body in a given region.

The shift toward permanent standard time in 2025-2026

Given the federal gridlock over permanent daylight saving time, a new trend emerged in 2025 and has gained momentum into 2026: the push for permanent standard time. Since this does not require federal approval, states are realizing they can "get rid of daylight savings time" tomorrow if they are willing to accept darker evenings in the summer.

In California, the conversation has shifted significantly. Despite voters approving a proposition years ago that favored permanent DST, the lack of federal movement has led state legislators to consider bills that would simply keep California on standard time year-round. Proponents argue that the health benefits of standard time—which aligns better with the human circadian rhythm—outweigh the desire for late-evening sun.

Similar efforts have been seen in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon and Washington have seen a resurgence of bills in their 2025 and 2026 sessions aiming for permanent standard time. The logic is simple: if the federal government won't allow the popular choice (permanent DST), the states will take the only legal exit available to them (permanent standard time) to protect their citizens from the health risks associated with the biannual time jump.

The science of the clock: Why people want out

The push to get rid of the time change isn't just about the inconvenience of resetting a microwave clock. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the "spring forward" event in March is a significant stressor on the human body.

Research indicates a roughly 24% increase in heart attacks on the Monday following the start of daylight saving time. Similarly, stroke rates tend to spike by about 8% during the first two days after the change. The disruption of the circadian rhythm—our internal biological clock—can lead to sleep deprivation, reduced cognitive function, and a temporary increase in workplace injuries.

Traffic safety is another major concern. Fatal auto accidents see a measurable uptick in the days following the spring time change, as sleep-deprived drivers take to the roads in altered light conditions. By eliminating the change, experts suggest that hundreds of lives could be saved annually across the United States.

Economic and social considerations

The economic impact of the time change is a double-edged sword. Supporters of daylight saving time, particularly in the retail and tourism industries, argue that more evening light encourages people to stay out later, spend more money, and engage in outdoor activities. The golf and barbecue industries, for instance, have historically lobbied for extended DST because it directly correlates with increased sales.

On the other hand, the cost of the transition itself is not negligible. It is estimated that the biannual change costs the U.S. economy upwards of $430 million each year when factoring in lost productivity, health care costs, and the logistical challenges of syncing international business operations. In an era of global 24/7 commerce, the arbitrary shifting of the clock is increasingly seen by many business leaders as an outdated nuisance.

The federal outlook: The Sunshine Protection Act

At the federal level, the Sunshine Protection Act remains the most prominent piece of legislation aimed at solving this issue. Reintroduced in various forms over the last several years, including a push in early 2025, the bill would make daylight saving time the new, permanent standard for the entire nation.

While the bill famously passed the Senate by unanimous consent in 2022, it has repeatedly stalled in the House of Representatives. The debate often boils down to a conflict between urban and rural interests. Urban areas tend to favor the extra evening light for recreation and safety, while some rural communities and parent-teacher associations express concern about children waiting for school buses in total darkness during the winter months if DST were made permanent.

As of 2026, the federal government appears to be observing a "wait and see" approach, watching as more states move toward permanent standard time on their own. This ground-up pressure might eventually force a federal decision, but for now, the national map remains a work in progress.

How to prepare for the remaining changes

Until your specific state successfully navigates the legislative hurdles to get rid of daylight savings time, the twice-yearly adjustment remains a reality. Experts suggest a few ways to mitigate the impact of the transition:

  1. Incremental Adjustments: In the days leading up to the change, try shifting your sleep and meal times by 15 minutes each day. This helps the body's internal clock adapt more gradually than a sudden one-hour jump.
  2. Light Exposure: Prioritize getting natural sunlight early in the morning following the time change. This helps reset your circadian rhythm and can reduce feelings of grogginess.
  3. Routine Maintenance: Use the time change as a reminder for safety checks, such as replacing batteries in smoke detectors or updating emergency kits. This turns a physiological annoyance into a productive habit.

Conclusion: A country in transition

The movement to get rid of daylight savings time is no longer a fringe issue; it is a mainstream legislative priority across the United States. While only Arizona and Hawaii are currently "clock-change free," the momentum in 2026 suggests that the map will look very different in the coming years. Whether states choose the path of permanent standard time or wait for a federal green light for permanent summer hours, the consensus is clear: the era of the biannual time switch is nearing its end. As more states prioritize public health and safety over an outdated 20th-century tradition, the dream of a stable, unchanging clock is closer than ever to becoming a reality for millions of Americans.