When does daylight saving time start? How the 'Texas Time' bill could end time changes

The Texas heat may not indicate it, but summer is drawing to a close. While Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer for many, your body's circadian rhythm may not recognize the shift to shorter, colder days until the end of daylight saving time.

When is the next time change, and why does it happen? Here's what to know about daylight saving time and Texas' legislation to do away with the practice.

When is daylight saving 2025? Here's when the next time change is

This year, daylight saving time began on Sunday, March 9 and will end on Sunday, November 2. In the early hours of November 2, time will fall back one hour from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. This means residents in the 48 states that observe daylight saving time (DST) will get an extra hour of sleep.

What does daylight saving time mean?

Daylight saving time (DST) claims a variety of other names: daylight savings time, daylight time, summer time (not to be confused with summertime). It refers to the practice of setting clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months of the year and then setting them back one hour in the fall.

One way to remember the pattern: " spring forward, fall back."

Why was daylight saving time created?

The idea dates back to World War I, although some credit Benjamin Franklin for daylight saving time due to a satirical letter he wrote in 1784 stating: "Every morning, as soon as the sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing: and if that is not sufficient, let cannon be fired in every street to wake the sluggards effectually."

To maximize resources for the war, Germany and Austria implemented the first daylight saving time in 1916. The U.S. did the same in 1918. An outdated idea, some argue.

The general idea of daylight saving time is to maximize the use of natural daylight, according to the Almanac. This always occurs around the summer months. As the earth moves around the sun and is tilted on its axis, certain parts of the world experience longer days during certain months. For those in the northern hemisphere, like the U.S., these longer days run from March to November, with June to August seeing the longest days.

For those in the southern hemisphere, such as Australia, the seasons are reversed: June through August mark winter months and are, therefore, the shortest of the year.

History of daylight saving time: 107 years of US law

Since 2007, daylight saving time has begun on the second Sunday in March and ended on the first Sunday of November, as directed by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Before that, a 1986 law placed the time changes on the first Sunday of April and the last Sunday of October, according to the Astronomical Applications Department. Between 1976 and 1986, clocks moved forward on the last Sunday of April. In 1974 and 1975, daylight saving time began in January and February, respectively.

The U.S. first officially recognized daylight saving time in 1918, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act into law.

What states are getting rid of daylight saving time?

Arizona and Hawaii are the only U.S. states that have never changed their clocks for daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation hasn't either.

The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also don't observe daylight saving time.

Daylight saving time was enacted by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which also allows states to remain in standard time year-round. However, many states are making efforts to remain in daylight saving time instead — which is currently barred by federal law and would require the approval of Congress.

In recent years, states have considered more than 700 pieces of legislation regarding daylight saving time, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This includes 30 in 2024.

A total of 20 states have passed laws or resolutions to move toward daylight saving time year-round, if Congress were ever to allow it, according to the NCSL. These include:

• Alabama
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Will Texas lawmakers end daylight saving time? What to know about the 'Texas Time' bill

There has been debate for years among Texans and state legislators about whether the Lone Star State should adopt daylight saving time permanently.

House Bill 1393, also known as "Texas Time," could bring an end to that discussion.

The "Texas Time" bill aims to eliminate biannual clock changes and keep Texas on daylight saving time year-round. Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill on June 20; however, it can't take effect unless Congress changes federal law to allow states to adopt daylight saving time permanently.

Supporters argue that maintaining a consistent time year-round would reduce confusion, improve safety and enhance productivity.

Those who oppose permanent daylight saving time cite health and safety concerns, often arguing that maintaining standard time year-round would be preferrable.

Does Trump want to end daylight saving time?

In recent years, Congress has faced the opportunity to stop changing clocks. In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent; however, the U.S. House of Representatives did not pass it and President Joe Biden did not sign it.

In December, then- President-elect Donald Trump said he aims to put an end to daylight saving time and make standard time year-round.

"The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!" Trump wrote on social media site Truth Social. "Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation."