As Michigan residents prepare to adjust their clocks this weekend for Daylight Saving Time, a new legislative proposal could potentially end this practice for good in the state. State Senator Thomas Albert is spearheading an initiative to let voters decide if Michigan should adopt standard time year-round.
Albert, who hails from Lowell, has expressed skepticism about the benefits of Daylight Saving Time. “I’m a dad. I have young kids. (Sunday’s) a rough day,” he remarked humorously, reflecting the sentiments of many who find the time change disruptive.
Proponents of Daylight Saving Time argue it conserves energy and extends daylight into the evening during warmer months, a notion that gained traction with the passage of the Uniform Time Act in 1966. The golf industry played a notable role in advocating for the extension of Daylight Saving Time in the 1980s.
The practice of shifting clocks has long been a point of contention, with many Americans expressing frustration over losing an hour of sleep in the spring and experiencing earlier nightfall in the fall. This discontent has spurred numerous legislative efforts across the country to abolish the biannual time changes.
In recent years, 20 states have enacted measures to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. However, federal approval is required to make this change, unlike the switch to permanent standard time, which states like Arizona and Hawaii have already implemented.
The debate continues as more states consider permanent standard time, citing potential benefits such as improved sleep quality and safer morning commutes. This year, over a dozen states have introduced legislation to opt out of Daylight Saving Time.
Should Senate Bill 126 pass, Michigan voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on the issue during the 2026 ballot.
—
Read More Michigan News
