TRENTON – The Senate Transportation Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, Senator Troy Singleton, and Senate President Nick Scutari that would have New Jersey permanently observe daylight saving time by remaining on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) year-round, once permitted by federal law.

The bill, S-1510, would require New Jersey to remain on daylight saving time permanently. Currently, the state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) for four months each year and switches to EDT for the remaining eight months. Under the legislation, if the federal government authorizes states to stay on daylight saving time year-round, New Jersey would be required to do so.

“While the extra hour of sleep and earlier sunrise feels nice, the problem with daylight savings time is not just the hassle of changing your clocks twice a year; it also wreaks havoc on your body, disrupting sleep patterns for up to a week following the change,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “Forcing our bodies to adjust to the time change twice per year disrupts our sleep cycles and our health. The loss of sunlight is not only linked to seasonal depression, but it is also linked to an economic slowdown, an increase in car accidents, and even an increase in heart attacks. Turning our clocks back is an archaic practice that no longer serves a purpose in this modern age. We need to lock the clock and make daylight savings time permanent.”

“Changing the clock twice a year isn’t just inconvenient; it disrupts our sleep, increases accidents, and sends more people to emergency rooms,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “We’ve outgrown this practice. If we know it harms public health and safety, then we have a responsibility to end it and keep daylight saving time year-round.”

The federal “Uniform Time Act of 1966” prohibits states from observing daylight savings time year-round. In 2022, the federal Sunshine Protection Act, which would allow states to adopt daylight saving time year-round, passed the U.S. Senate but was not approved by the House of Representatives.

“The science is clear, these clock changes throw off our internal rhythms, contribute to seasonal depression, and even lead to more crashes and cardiac events,” said Senate President Scutari (D-Union/Somerset). “This is a relic of another era. Permanent daylight saving time would bring more consistency, better health outcomes, and safer evenings for families across New Jersey.”

Under the bill, if the federal government amends federal law to authorize states to observe daylight savings time year-round, New Jersey would be required to observe daylight savings time permanently.

The bill also provides that references to “Eastern Standard Time” in state law would be replaced once federal authorization takes effect, ensuring consistency across statutes.

Several studies have shown that the biannual change between Eastern Standard Time and Eastern Daylight Time is disruptive to commerce, daily schedules, and the safety and health of individuals. A 2019 poll found that 71 percent of Americans prefer to eliminate yearly daylight savings time shifts.

Research has shown that the transition between standard time and daylight saving time can harm public health, safety, and commerce. Studies have linked the time change to increases in traffic accidents, workplace injuries, and heart attacks. Remaining on daylight saving time year-round could improve evening visibility, reduce crime, and allow more daylight during active hours.

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