H.R.139 - Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, aims to make daylight saving time (DST) permanent across the United States. This bill would repeal Section 3 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which currently allows for standard time to be in effect for part of the year. The bill also includes provisions for states that have previously exempted themselves from DST.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would result in Americans observing DST year-round, eliminating the need to change clocks twice a year. It would also allow states that currently observe standard time year-round to continue doing so. This could impact daily routines, energy consumption, and various sectors of the economy.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in traffic accidents due to increased daylight during commuting hours.
- Possible increase in consumer spending as people may be more inclined to shop or engage in leisure activities after work with more daylight.
- Simplification of timekeeping and scheduling, eliminating the biannual clock changes.
- Potential benefits to certain industries, such as tourism and recreation, due to extended daylight hours.
- May reduce energy consumption, although studies on this are mixed.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Disruption to sleep patterns and potential negative impacts on health due to misalignment with the body's natural circadian rhythm.
- Potential negative impacts on morning activities, especially during winter months, due to later sunrises.
- Concerns from some industries, such as agriculture, about the impact on their operations.
- Possible increased energy consumption in the mornings due to increased need for lighting.
- The bill does not address potential impacts on states that have already chosen to remain on standard time year-round, potentially creating inconsistencies.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill falls under the legislative powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which includes the power to regulate commerce. The regulation of time zones and daylight saving time can be argued to fall under this power as it affects interstate commerce and transportation. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).