Oct 31, 2025 - Health
Why Virginia can't stop changing the clocks twice a year
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Virginia lawmakers have repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, tried to end daylight saving time.
Why it matters: We're set to suffer when the clocks turn back an hour on Sunday.
The big picture: In recent years, the legislature has proposed either making DST permanent or sticking to standard time year-round.
- Keeping DST permanent means clocks stay an hour ahead all year, which means more evening light.
- Doing year-round standard time, which is based on the sun's position, means earlier sunrises and sunsets.
Yes, but: These bills rarely make it out of committee.
- Even if they did, and eventually made it into state law, most lawmakers proposed making DST permanent — and that's a move that requires Congress.
- Federal law only allows states to choose year-round standard time, not year-round DST.
By the numbers: Overall, 35 states have considered or are considering resolutions related to daylight saving time in 2025, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
- Nineteen have passed laws for permanent DST, but they're mostly symbolic without Congress.
The bottom line: Virginia is indefinitely stuck changing the clocks twice a year.