Several US states are aiming to get rid of daylights savings time, and two states already do not observe it.
The idea of getting rid of daylight saving time has gained new traction across the U.S., with several states pushing legislation or floating proposals to eliminate the twice-yearly clock switches. While the federal government still controls the ultimate rules, here’s a look at which states are actively trying to move past daylight saving time — and which ones already have.
States that have already opted out (or never joined)
In the strictest sense, only two U.S. states have fully opted out of the daylight saving clock shifts: Arizona (most of it) and Hawaii.
Arizona has refused to change clocks since 1968, except within the Navajo Nation, which still observes daylight saving time. Hawaii hasn’t observed it since 1967, citing minimal variation in daylight throughout the year.
These are the only examples where the state has permanently avoided the biannual spring-forward and fall-back routine. Other states may be trying to follow their lead, but so far none have managed to do so unilaterally.
States pushing to get rid of daylight saving time
When people ask what states are getting rid of daylight saving time, they’re often referring to states that have passed laws to adopt either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time, effectively ending the twice-a-year clock changes. However, states can’t unilaterally adopt permanent daylight saving time under current federal law — Congress would have to amend the Uniform Time Act first. States can, however, exempt themselves and remain on standard time year-round.
Utah, for example, passed a law to switch to permanent daylight saving time, but that move depends on Congress changing the law and on several neighboring or western states doing the same. Tennessee passed a law in 2019 to make daylight saving time permanent, but it also awaits federal approval before it can take effect.
Texas lawmakers have made repeated attempts to get rid of daylight saving time. In 2023, the Texas House approved a bill to make daylight saving time permanent, but it stalled in the Senate. Similarly, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have each passed resolutions or laws supporting permanent daylight saving time — though again, none can go into effect without a change at the federal level.
Other states that have either passed or introduced legislation to eliminate the time change include Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington. Most of these efforts are conditional, meaning they hinge on Congress allowing states to make the switch.
Why the movement is gaining steam
Public frustration over losing an hour of sleep, questions about energy savings, and research suggesting possible health risks from clock changes have made this issue politically popular. Over the past few years, nearly every state legislature has at least considered a bill addressing daylight saving time in some form.
In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would have made daylight saving time permanent nationwide, effectively ending daylight saving time transitions everywhere. However, the bill stalled in the House, leaving the current system unchanged.
What states are getting rid of daylight saving time right now
At the moment, only Arizona and Hawaii have fully eliminated the time change, choosing to remain on standard time all year. Utah has taken legislative steps to join them but must wait for federal approval. Tennessee has approved a similar measure but can’t enact it yet. Texas continues to debate the issue, with lawmakers divided on whether to remain on standard time or daylight saving time year-round.
Meanwhile, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have all passed or considered laws that would scrap the clock switching. These states, along with Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, are at the forefront of the movement. In total, nearly half the country has taken some step toward ending the practice.
So if you’re wondering what states are getting rid of daylight saving time, the short answer is that Arizona and Hawaii already have, and several others — Utah, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, and Washington among them — are actively trying to.
The federal roadblock
The Uniform Time Act gives states a pathway to exempt themselves from daylight saving time and stay permanently on standard time, but it does not allow them to adopt permanent daylight saving time on their own. That means states can choose to stay put on standard time year-round, but they can’t permanently move an hour ahead without Congress amending the law.
Because of this, many states that have passed “permanent daylight saving” laws are currently stuck in limbo. They’ve done their part at the state level, but until Congress acts, they must continue switching their clocks twice a year.
The bottom line
Only Arizona and Hawaii have truly gotten rid of daylight saving time so far. However, a growing number of states — including Utah, Tennessee, Texas, and much of the western U.S. — have passed or are considering legislation to end the biannual clock changes.
The push to get rid of daylight saving time isn’t new, but momentum is clearly building. What states are getting rid of daylight saving time will depend not only on local lawmakers but also on whether Congress decides to give them the freedom to make the change once and for all. Until then, most Americans will continue to move their clocks forward and backward every spring and fall — whether they like it or not.
