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Florida passed a bill making daylight saving time permanent, so why are we turning our clocks back?

Posted at 4:33 PM, Oct 30, 2019
and last updated 2020-03-07 13:25:14-05

Remember back in 2018 when Florida lawmakers approved a bill that would keep Florida on daylight saving time permanently?

This weekend we'll still be setting our clocks back an hour along with most of the rest of the country, so what gives?

RELATED: The fight for daylight: Why Florida lawmakers are leading the charge to change federal law

The problem is that even though the Florida legislature voted to stay on daylight saving time, it can't be enacted without congressional approval of the Sunshine Protection Act.

Seven states have passed bills to eliminate the time change, but Arizona and Hawaii actually don't observe daylight saving time at all.

“We need to end this antiquated practice,” FL Congressman Vern Buchanan said. “There are enormous health and economic benefits to making daylight saving time permanent.”

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President Trump has indicated that he would sign the bill in the past.

“Last year, Florida lawmakers voted to make daylight saving time permanent in my home state,” Buchanan said. “Congress should pass my bill to move Florida and the rest of the country to year-round daylight saving time.”

Senator Marco Rubio has a companion bill currently in a Senate committee.

At the end of the day, Florida legislators are ready to stay on daylight saving time year round, as is the president. But we will continue to change the clocks twice a year until Congress approves the change.