The clock of a restored bell tower in Sturgeon Bay is seen Nov. 27, 2018. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Could the debate over standard vs. daylight saving time soon be over?
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure to eliminate switching the clocks back and forth, and just continue living in daylight saving time.
The Sunshine Protection Act bill would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, meaning the clocks wouldn’t change come fall.
“I think it’s important for people to, especially in our area to enjoy, you know, some at least sometimes with sun, certainly during the winter time. So, and I think also just it is tough when people do change the clocks. It can be tough on people’s health or circadian rhythm and things like that,” said U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-8th District, who voted in favor of the bill.
The bill still needs Senate approval. If it passes, in Wisconsin, the sun rise would be delayed to between 7:50 and 8:30 a.m. in November, December, January and February.
But the sunset would be an hour later than during standard time, offering more evening sun.
States do have the option to opt out of the bill, if it passes. But State Rep. Dave Steffen, R-Howard, sees no need believing evening sunlight has more positives than potential sunrise drawbacks.
“I think it’s a little bit overblown,” he said. “I think a lot of people are thinking Laura Ingalls Wilder is trudging through the snow with their kerosene lamp in the early hours of the day. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I have a feeling that everyone’s gonna adjust.”
It’s unclear when that adjustment could or would happen as the Senate still needs to address the bill.
This isn’t the first time this issue was addressed. In March 2022, the Senate unanimously passed similar action but the bill was later rejected in the House.
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