North Carolina Lawmakers Push to End Clock Changes, Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

North Carolinians lost an hour of sleep this past weekend as clocks moved forward for Daylight Saving Time, but a new proposal in the General Assembly aims to make that adjustment permanent. Senate Bill 81, co-sponsored by Senators Benton Sawrey and Ralph Hise, would keep the state on Daylight Saving Time year-round, eliminating the twice-a-year clock changes that disrupt sleep schedules, work routines, and even public safety.

Sawrey expressed strong support for the bill, stating, “More evening daylight means safer communities, healthier lifestyles, and a stronger economy. Let’s put an end to the clock-changing hassle once and for all!” If passed, the legislation would position North Carolina to make the switch as soon as Congress grants states the authority to observe Daylight Saving Time permanently. Currently, federal law does not allow this change without congressional approval.

Supporters argue that keeping the clocks steady year-round would bring multiple benefits, from reducing car accidents and improving public safety to boosting the economy by allowing for more evening activity. Research has also linked the abrupt time change to increased heart attacks, strokes, and workplace injuries, adding another layer to the argument for consistency.

The bill, now under review in the Senate Rules and Operations Committee, would require the Commissioner of Agriculture to notify the Governor within 60 days of federal approval, at which point the Governor would implement the change. If lawmakers like Sawrey and Hise have their way, this could be one of the last times North Carolinians have to “spring forward” without knowing if they’ll ever “fall back” again.