Could 2024 Be the Last Time We ‘Fall Back’?

SAN ANGELO, TX - Daylight saving time will end on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m., as clocks are set to “fall back” by one hour.

The time shift will give people an extra hour of sleep, signaling the transition to shorter daylight hours as winter approaches.

Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November, affecting all U.S. states except Hawaii and most of Arizona. While modern technology automatically adjusts clocks, manual changes might still be needed for some devices, such as wall clocks or microwaves.

The twice-yearly clock changes, originally introduced to conserve energy during wartime, have become increasingly unpopular. Over the past few years, 19 states have proposed legislation to end the practice. However, it will require federal action to make any permanent changes.

In March 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which proposed making daylight saving time permanent. However, the bill failed to advance in the House and expired in December of the same year. Although the bill could be reintroduced, there has been little progress in the House or Senate, meaning the twice-annual time changes are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

For now, Americans should prepare to reset their clocks and enjoy an extra hour of rest on Nov. 3.