The days of resetting the microwave clock twice a year might soon be over for Georgia residents. State legislators are pursuing an unconventional strategy to secure more evening sunlight without waiting for a stalled federal government to act. While Georgia previously voted to stay on Daylight Saving Time permanently in 2021, that plan has been stuck because federal law requires a literal act of Congress to authorize such a move. Since Washington hasn’t moved on the issue, Georgia is looking for a loophole to change its official time zone entirely.
Under House Bill 154, also known as the Georgia Sunshine Protection Act, the state would petition to leave Eastern Standard Time and join the Atlantic Standard Time zone.
This move would require a green light from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. If approved, the state would effectively keep its extra hour of afternoon sun year-round by simply shifting its regional alignment.
The proposal recently cleared the Senate with a strong 45 to 5 vote. In the text of the legislation, supporters argue that the current practice of switching clocks “disrupts sleep, commerce, transportation scheduling, and school schedules,” and that “citizens would benefit from more evening daylight for commerce, recreation, and family activities.”
There are potential downsides to going solo. If Georgia moves to a permanent later schedule while its neighbors do not, the time difference between Georgia and states like Alabama or Tennessee could expand to two hours during certain months. This could create significant confusion for those living or working near state lines.
The bill has now returned to the House for a final look at Senate revisions. Given that it passed the House last year with a massive 172-vote majority, the path for this new time zone workaround looks more promising than ever.
And the rest of the Eastern states should follow