The Sun Protection Law is a legislative initiative that seeks to establish permanent daylight saving time in Florida and in other states that wish to adhere to the measure. Currently, daylight saving time is implemented between March and November, with the aim of making better use of natural light and reducing energy consumption.
In 2018, when Rick Scott was governor of Florida, he signed state legislation that pushed for this proposal. However, since time control is under federal regulation, it was necessary for the U.S. Congress to approve the measure before it could take effect. Despite efforts in recent years, the law remains stalled in the legislative process.
Senator Marco Rubio and former governor and now senator Rick Scott have been the main promoters of the Sun Protection Law in the U.S. Congress. In 2022, the Senate unanimously approved the proposal, which generated optimism about its eventual implementation. However, the initiative was never brought to vote in the House of Representatives, preventing its progress.
Over the years, Rubio and Scott have continued to reintroduce the project, arguing that eliminating the time change would benefit the economy, improve safety, and have a positive impact on public health. However, the lack of consensus in Congress has prevented the measure from prospering, leaving its implementation uncertain.
Arguments for and against the measure
Supporters of the Sun Protection Law argue that maintaining daylight saving time permanently could bring various benefits. They argue that there would be more hours of daylight in the afternoon, which would promote commerce, tourism, and outdoor leisure activities. Furthermore, it has been suggested that reducing clock changes could decrease health problems associated with disrupting the circadian rhythm.
On the other hand, some sleep experts and medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have expressed concerns about the negative effects that the permanent implementation of daylight saving time could have. They point out that in some states and cities, sunrises would be too late during the winter, which could affect the well-being and productivity of the population.
Florida will continue to adjust its clocks in March
Since the Sun Protection Law has not yet been approved, Florida and most of the United States will continue with the seasonal time adjustment.
On March 9 at 2:00 a.m., clocks will need to be set forward one hour to start daylight saving time, a practice that has been in place for decades.
The debate about the convenience of the time change remains open, and although there is support for eliminating this practice, the lack of action in Congress keeps Floridians in the same annual routine.
Until a definitive decision is made, residents of the state will continue to adjust their clocks every spring and fall.
*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence