LANSING, Mich. — As daylight saving time approaches this Sunday, a new bill introduced in Michigan’s state legislature could shift the future of time changes in the state. Senate Bill 126, introduced Thursday, proposes a significant change: the elimination of daylight saving time altogether. However, the bill would also place the decision in the hands of Michigan voters, allowing them to determine whether the state should continue to observe DST in the future.
The bill would add a question to the 2026 state ballot, giving voters the power to decide whether Michigan should adopt permanent standard time, or continue with the practice of switching between standard time and daylight saving time. This marks the latest development in a long-standing debate that has captured the attention of lawmakers and citizens alike.
Michigan has seen several attempts to address the issue of daylight saving time over the years, with multiple bills introduced in every legislative session since 2015. While the content of these bills has varied—some supporting permanent daylight saving time and others advocating for its elimination—none have resulted in definitive action. However, with SB-126, lawmakers have now taken a step closer to putting the issue directly in the hands of voters.
At the federal level, the debate continues to stir. In January, U.S. Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT) introduced a bill that would grant individual states the authority to observe daylight saving time year-round. While the bill has yet to gain significant traction, it highlights ongoing efforts to give states more control over their time practices. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it has remained since.
Former President Donald Trump, who has previously spoken on the matter, expressed his ambivalence toward the issue. “It’s a 50/50 issue, and if something is a 50/50 issue, it’s hard to get excited about it,” Trump stated on Thursday. He noted that many people hold differing views on the subject but refrained from advocating for any specific solution. Despite this, Trump did voice support for eliminating daylight saving time altogether in December.
Health experts have weighed in on the ongoing debate, with many advocating for permanent standard time. Studies have shown that standard time is better aligned with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, potentially leading to improved sleep, blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels. These experts argue that more daylight exposure earlier in the day is beneficial for overall health and well-being.
Daylight saving time itself has a long and complicated history in the United States. Originally introduced during World War I as a measure to conserve energy, the practice was abandoned after the war ended. It was reintroduced during World War II, but the lack of a unified approach led to confusion, as states and localities were allowed to decide when to observe DST. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the practice of switching clocks twice a year.
A national energy crisis in 1973 led President Richard Nixon to sign a bill that mandated year-round daylight saving time. However, after public outcry and health concerns, President Gerald Ford signed a law in 1974 that returned the country to standard time for a portion of the year, with this schedule remaining in place today.
As Michigan prepares to spring forward on March 9, the future of daylight saving time in the state remains uncertain. With a public vote on the horizon, the debate is far from over. Should SB-126 pass, Michigan voters will have the final say on whether to continue the tradition of shifting the clocks forward or eliminate daylight saving time once and for all.
For now, the clocks will move forward this Sunday, March 9, and fall back again on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. The conversation, however, is expected to continue as the state prepares to address this long-standing issue head-on.
