Florida is just over a week away from changing to Daylight Saving Time. So when we change our clocks and spring ahead on March 10, will it be the last time?
The Sunshine Protection Act passed the Florida legislature in March 2018 and was signed into law by then-Gov. Rick Scott later that month.
But in order to take effect, Congress must pass legislation allowing Florida to effectively be in a different time zone than the rest of the East Coast for more than half the year.
In January 2018, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen explained why staying with one time would be not only less confusing, but beneficial.
“Our visitors will be able to enjoy it and our restaurants and businesses will have another hour for people to enjoy the daylight and the beautiful weather that we have,” said Fitzenhagen.
Sen. Marco Rubio filed two bills last year soon after the legislation was signed.
One would exempt Florida from the “Uniform Time Act,” allowing the state to make the switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time. The other proposes moving the entire country to year-round Daylight Saving Time.
Neither have gotten a hearing.
While many Floridians were unaware the new law didn’t change anything, most agreed with the law’s sentiment.
‘“I don’t think changing clocks is really effective,” FSU student Kiara Gilbert said.
“I think it would be beneficial for students, especially. For educators as well. Really just your entire education system and, like you said, it’s the Sunshine State so it just seems fitting,” said FSU Senior Anthony Pagano.
Some studies have suggested crime is lower during Daylight Saving Time and others have suggested energy costs are also lowered.
Currently most of Arizona, Hawaii, overseas territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands and various Native American nations are exempt from Daylight Saving Time.