Year-round Daylight Saving Time - Latest Update on Legislation

(KMDL-FM) The issue of permanent Daylight Saving Time is apparently something that can make time stand still. Or at least it can make it seem as though time is not moving because, after a flurry of information and opinions on the subject of ending the practice of adjusting the clocks twice a year, the only sound we've heard lately is "crickets".

woman in white lace long sleeve shirt smiling — Photo by Shahzin Shajid on Unsplash

For a lot of us who are skeptical about the ability of our nation's government to actually get stuff done, the sound of crickets is not unexpected. However, the lack of action by the United States Senate on the subject of permanent Daylight Saving Time is about to have some quirky effects on life in the United States.

What Are the Latest Developments in Permanent Daylight Saving Time?

Since the last time we chatted about suspending the time change, other than a lot of rhetoric and noise from elected officials, nothing has really changed. One of the reasons that nothing has been done in regard to the Sunshine Protection Act is the fact that the Senate has been on recess for about a month. They won't actually be back at work until September 14th.

And despite strong "ALL CAPS ENCOURAGEMENT" from President Donald Trump, Senate leaders have not acted on the legislation, and there is speculation among many that there might not be enough support for the measure in the Senate to pass the legislation anyway.

Why Has the Senate Not Acted on Permanent Daylight Saving Time?

White House under clear sky at night — Photo by Darren Halstead on Unsplash

Should the Senate convene and pass the Sunshine Protection Act, we can assume that, because of his on-the-record stance, President Trump will sign the legislation. But given the September 14th date for return to business in the Senate, will that mean enough time to get the legislation and the logistics ironed out before the scheduled time change date of November 1st?

If We Miss Daylight Saving Time, Will We Stay With Permanent Standard Time?

That would mean we fall back to Standard Time. If that happens, do we stick and stay with Standard Time and not adjust the clocks in the spring? Or do we make a knee-jerk adjustment on the fly to return to Daylight Saving Time? That will have to be a "wait and see" scenario because I don't know, and I don't think anyone I voted for knows either.

If the legislation does get passed and signed and implemented before November 1st, what could that mean for Halloween and trick-or-treating? That activity is usually done in the dark or the approaching darkness. Sunset on Halloween is projected to be 6:22 PM this year.

That means if your community allows Halloween candy gathering between 5 and 7 pm you'll only have about half an hour of pseudodarkness.

person in white mask standing beside white robot — Photo by Clay LeConey on Unsplash

Okay, that's better for safety, but it kind of sucks the fun out of Halloween. Maybe communities will adjust and allow trick-or-treating between 6 and 8 pm. Or, this could be the final straw that forces us to move Halloween to a permanent position on the last Saturday in October. Any support for that idea?

I know, I'm just stirring the pot, but it does pose an interesting conundrum. Meanwhile, in case you missed it, if we do change the clocks, it's a bedtime on Halloween night. If we don't change the clocks, then mornings will be darker and evenings will be a little lighter after work and school. Some cue that old song from the band Chicago, and no, nobody has a clue what time it really is.