Understanding the Changes to Daylight Saving Time in California and Florida

Recent discussions and legislative changes in California and Florida have brought the topic of daylight saving time (DST) into the spotlight. It's important to clarify what steps are being taken and where they stand.

The Proposition in California

In November 2018, California voters approved a ballot proposition aimed at making daylight saving time (DST) a permanent measure. The proposition, known as California Proposition 7 Permanent Daylight Saving Time Measure 2018, garnered 59.75% of the vote. However, there's a key legal hurdle to its implementation.

Current Federal law allows states to opt out of DST, such as the case with Arizona and Hawaii, but does not permit states to make DST permanent. As a result, the legislation cannot be fully implemented until Congress amends this law. Unfortunately, there has been no significant movement on this front in Congress.

The Legislative Process in Florida

Florida's efforts to change DST haven't fared much better. The state's legislative body has passed a proposal to eliminate standard time and move to year-round daylight saving time. However, this proposal still needs approval from Congress, just as it did for California.

It's worth noting that the Federal law requires standard time for states that observe DST and sets specific dates. The Federal government has tried implementing year-round DST before, but it was met with opposition and ultimately unsuccessful. People favored the current system, and energy savings were not as significant as initially thought.

Efforts and Future Prospects

Currently, both California and Florida are in the process of trying to secure federal approval for their respective DST proposals. Florida appears closer to a possible outcome due to its legislature having already passed the necessary laws. However, the approval process at the federal level remains uncertain.

The states have proposed specific time zones to align with their DST plans. Florida wants to be on Astoria Standard Time (AST) year-round, while California aims for Mountain Standard Time (MST). Both proposals would require significant legal changes at the federal level and approval from state legislatures.

While the movement is gaining momentum, the actual implementation remains subject to ongoing legislative and governmental processes. The outcome is uncertain and will depend on the actions of both state and federal lawmakers.

Conclusion

Both California and Florida are pursuing significant changes to their DST schedules. While California's Proposition 7 passed a public vote but is currently hampered by Federal law, Florida's efforts are further along in the legislative process. Both states face significant hurdles in securing the necessary approvals and legal changes required to implement their proposals.

The future of DST in these states hangs in the balance, and it will likely be a while before any definitive changes are made. In the meantime, residents in California and Florida should continue to follow the legislative progress and stay informed about potential changes to their DST schedules.