The sun hasn’t yet set on a bill that would keep daylight saving time in effect year-round. As the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week were advancing a bill that would require AM remain in vehicles, they also advanced a bill that broadcasters fear may hurt radio’s reach in the key morning daypart.
The proposed Sunshine Protection Act (S.29/ H.R.139) would have its biggest impact on radio during the winter months when it would mean that for most of the country the sun would not rise until after 8am — and in some cases past 9am — when morning drivetime is over. In Grand Rapids, MI the sun would rise as late as 9:15am, and in Williston, ND sunrise would approach 9:45am.
It is not just daytime-only signals that will be impacted. Scores of AMs operate at either reduced power or with directional signals after dark. That has raised concerns of broadcasters who say the morning daypart is when most of their revenue is made. Some of the losses would be offset by the change that would give AMs more time during their afternoon drive, when some stations need to power down before 5pm during the winter months. But the National Association of Broadcasters has urged lawmakers to reject the idea.
But the idea of later sunsets has proven to be popular in places like Florida, where outdoor activities continue even during the winter. Businesses like golf courses say they are hurt by sunsets that come too early in those months.
“This would give us an opportunity to finally not have the back and forth of the clocks without going into darkness,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), who first proposed the clock shift in 2013.
Even some lawmakers for northern states see advantages. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said he believed it will help New Jersey tourism. “Not changing clocks back and forth also is better from a health and safety point of view, according to numerous studies,” he added.
Yet the idea still faces an uphill climb. When it was up for a vote as a standalone bill last fall in the Senate, it failed to get the 60 votes needed to overcome opposition. Supporters hope that by making it part of a bill filed with various transportation measures, the clock change proposal will win approval.
President Donald Trump — who is also the owner of a Florida golf club — has repeatedly said he supports making daylight savings time permanent.
“It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production,” Trump wrote in a social media post. He said hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year moving the clocks.
In Florida, the state legislature overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation in 2018 to become the first state in the nation to adopt permanent daylight saving time. Across the U.S., 19 states have since enacted legislation or passed similar resolutions.
The bill now heads to the full House for approval. It will also require passage in the Senate where 18 Senators from both parties have already gone on record to supporting the proposal.
