Alabama passed a bill to permanently adopt Daylight Saving Time. Do we still ‘fall back?’

Amber Roberson, Montgomery Advertiser
·2 min read
4

It’s that time of year again – daylight saving time ends on Nov. 6, prompting everyone who wants to be on time to turn their manual clocks back an hour – and often, check the batteries in smoke detectors, while they’re at it.

Twice a year, we grudgingly change our clocks and wonder why we’re still making this change in 2022. The U.S. Department of Transportation says Daylight Saving Time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime. But it also comes with health consequences from upending our schedules.

But wait – didn’t Alabama pass a law to cancel the time change last year? Are we still changing our clocks back the first Sunday in November or not?

The short answer is: Yes, you still need to change your clocks back. Here’s why.

More: Daylight saving time is 'not helpful' and has 'no upsides,' experts say. Here's why.

Alabama daylight saving time bill signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2021

After years of attempts, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill to permanently adopt daylight saving time last year after the state Senate earlier passed the same measure.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law on May 13, 2021. However, the reality is that states currently don’t have the authority to make that call for themselves.

Daylight saving time is mandated by federal law under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, so it takes an act of Congress to allow states to adopt it permanently.

Alabama one of 19 states awaiting Congressional approval for Daylight Saving Time adoption

Alabama isn’t the only state that’s looking to permanently adopt daylight saving time.

Alabama joined Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi and Georgia in passing laws in 2021 to make the change permanent, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Colorado also passed legislation in 2022.

Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Ohio and Wyoming passed similar laws in previous years.

Hawaii and most of Arizona already do not observe daylight saving time, opting instead for permanent standard time since the 1960s.

Where the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 stands

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously to pass the Sunshine Protection Action of 2021 on March 15. The bill now awaits a U.S. House vote.

If the act becomes law, the bill would make daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time as of Nov. 5, 2023. That means once clocks spring forward next March, they would not change in November of next year. However, it's not clear if the House will vote on the act this year.

So, in short, it’s time to mark your calendar, because your clock will be changing at 2 a.m. on Nov. 7, like it or not.

Rachel Wegner contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Daylight Saving Time: When does time change? Didn't Alabama adopt DST?