Ohioans might be one step closer to ending the twice-a-year clock change after the U.S. House passed a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent.
The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 in a 308-117 vote on July 14. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, while allowing states that are currently exempt from daylight saving time to remain on standard time year-round. It must still pass the Senate and be signed by President Donald Trump before officially becoming law.
In parts of Ohio, this means winter sunrises could be close to 9 a.m., while typical sunset times would shift from about 5 p.m. to closer to 6 p.m. Ohio is among several states that have passed or considered resolutions supporting permanent daylight saving time.
Here’s what happens next.
What’s next for the permanent daylight saving time bill? Timeline so far
The House passed the legislation July 14. The Senate must now decide whether to take it up. If senators approve the bill, it would go to President Donald Trump.
Trump has expressed support for permanent daylight saving time, but he would need to sign the bill before it becomes law.
Here’s how the bill progressed through the House and the next steps:
How Ohio’s daylight hours could change if daylight saving time is permanent
If enacted, HR 139 would make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. Clocks would stay on daylight saving time year-round instead of “falling back” each November.
Sunrise on the day of the winter solstice, the day with the least amount of daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere, would happen closer to 9 a.m., but sunset would also be later, closer to 6 p.m.
Daylight saving time vs. standard time: What’s the difference?
Daylight saving time is the period when clocks are moved one hour ahead, typically from March to November, creating later sunsets and more evening daylight, according to the U.S. Navy.
Meanwhile, standard time is the baseline time used during the rest of the year and is tied more closely to the sun’s position.
Under the bill, daylight saving time would become the year-round standard for most of the country, according to Congress.
Can states opt out?
States that do not observe daylight saving time, including Arizona and Hawaii, could choose to adopt the new system or keep their current standard time.
When do clocks ‘fall back’ in 2026?
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. In 2026, that date falls on Nov. 1, the earliest possible date for the annual time change.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Congress passes permanent daylight saving time bill. What happens next?
Reporting by Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
