Why do these two American states skip daylight saving? Here's the exact reasons
Many Americans lost an hour of sleep due to daylight saving time, while these states opted out, benefiting from cooler temperatures and earlier sunsets.
Many Americans lost an hour of sleep overnight as clocks “sprang forward” due to daylight saving time. However, for people in two states, Hawaii and Arizona, Sunday was no different from any other because they do not observe seasonal time changes.
Hawaii and much of Arizona are on standard time, refusing to ‘fall back’ in March and ‘spring forward’ in November. These two states, however, have chosen not to comply with the majority of the country and follow daylight saving time so evening sunlight can be extended during warmer months.
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Why Arizona says no to daylight saving time
Arizona has remained on Mountain Standard Time since 1968, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, which does observe daylight saving time.
The Arizona Republic reported keeping the clocks unchanged allows Arizona to experience earlier sunsets, providing some relief from the intense summer heat. By not extending daylight hours into the evening, residents benefit from cooler temperatures sooner in the day.
Why Hawaii stays on standard time
However, Hawaii's decision to forgo daylight saving time has nothing to do with saving money. Since the state is so close to the equator, sunrise and sunset times do not change much throughout the year.
This year, more than a dozen states have introduced legislation to make the switch permanent. Section 101 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 permits states to opt out of daylight saving time and to stay on standard time all year long. Yet under existing federal law, states are not authorized to adopt permanent daylight saving time.
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Lots of states have proposed a law to make daylight saving time permanent rather than staying standard time. Congress has also tried to pass national measures on time changes in recent months.
This year, two bills calling for permanent daylight saving time and two giving states the option of year-round have been introduced.
For now, Americans can expect to “fall back” an hour when daylight saving time ends on November 2. Until then, those who observe the change will continue adjusting to the lost hour of sleep and longer daylight hours in the evenings.
