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Congress Considers 'Half-Daylight Saving Time' Proposal
The Daylight Act of 2026 would set clocks forward 30 minutes, ending biannual time changes.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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A newly-introduced bill in Congress, the Daylight Act of 2026, would set U.S. clocks forward a half-hour from where they are now and lock them there, ending the biannual time change. This 'half-permanent daylight saving time' would make the U.S. one of the few countries with time zones split on the half-hour, adjusting to 'American Time.' While less drastic than permanent daylight saving time, the change would still impact sunrise and sunset times, especially in the winter months.
Why it matters
The proposal aims to address concerns over the health impacts of the biannual time changes, as well as the inconvenience of adjusting schedules twice a year. However, it could also lead to challenges around international coordination and border communities with different time zones.
The details
The Daylight Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), would set clocks forward 30 minutes year-round, rather than the current one-hour jump. This would result in later sunrises and sunsets, especially in the winter months. For example, in New York City, the latest winter sunrise would be 7:50 a.m. and the earliest sunset would be 4:58 p.m. under the proposed 'half-daylight saving time.' In the summer, the earliest sunrise would be around 4:54 a.m. and the latest sunset around 8:01 p.m.
- The Daylight Act of 2026 was introduced in Congress.
- If no action is taken, clocks will continue to 'spring forward' one hour on March 8 and 'fall back' one hour on November 1 each year.
The players
Rep. Greg Steube
A Republican Congressman from Florida who introduced the Daylight Act of 2026.
Dr. Alaina Tiani
A clinical health psychologist who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic's Sleep Disorder Center.
Dr. Karin Johnson
A spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and co-chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time.
What they’re saying
“Medically, a half hour delay would be less harmful than a full hour delay of permanent daylight saving time and would have the benefit of ending the biannual change.”
— Dr. Karin Johnson, Spokesperson, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (Nexstar)
“It could also lead to 'the confusion of trying to sync schedules that are offset by a half hour.'”
— Dr. Karin Johnson, Spokesperson, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (Nexstar)
What’s next
If the Daylight Act of 2026 is not passed, the current biannual time changes will continue, with clocks springing forward one hour on March 8 and falling back one hour on November 1 each year.
The takeaway
The 'half-daylight saving time' proposal aims to address the health and convenience concerns associated with the biannual time changes, but it could also introduce new challenges around international coordination and border communities. The debate over the future of daylight saving time in the U.S. continues.
