What Happened
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2023, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide and end the practice of changing clocks twice a year. For the change to take effect in Tennessee, however, the bill must also pass the U.S. House of Representatives, where it has seen no significant action since 2023 and remains stalled.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a state law in 2019 that commits the state to observing daylight saving time year-round, but only if federal law authorizes it. This means Tennessee is prepared to lock its clocks but cannot act until Congress does.
The Details
If the federal law eventually passes, Tennessee would not 'fall back' to standard time in November. The last clock change would be to 'spring forward' in March, after which the state would remain on daylight saving time permanently. This would result in more evening light year-round but also lead to later winter sunrises, with sunrise in Nashville occurring after 8:00 a.m. in December.
Support, Opposition, and Next Steps
Proponents, including the bill's sponsor Sen. Marco Rubio, argue permanent DST could reduce seasonal depression, boost economic activity in the evenings, and decrease certain types of car accidents. Tennessee is part of a regional bloc of Southern states with similar contingent laws, aiming for consistency.
Opponents, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, advocate for permanent standard time instead, citing better alignment with human circadian rhythms. A primary concern is the safety risk of dark winter mornings for children and commuters. While public polling shows most Americans want to stop changing clocks, there is division on which time to adopt permanently.
With the federal bill dormant in the House, there is no active schedule for a vote. The outcome now depends on whether Tennessee's congressional delegation and others can revive the legislation. Until then, the state will continue observing the traditional DST schedule, changing clocks in March and November.