Nevada Could Ditch Daylight Saving Time FOREVER—Here’s Why You’ll Either Love It or Hate It! Assembly Bill 81

Hello, Nevada. right now, our state lawmakers are tackling a bill—Assembly Bill 81, dubbed the “Lock the Clock Act”—that could finally put an end to the twice-a-year headache of Daylight Saving Time (DST). If it passes, Nevada would stick to Pacific Standard Time all year round, no more “spring forward” or “fall back.” Let’s unpack what this all means, where DST came from, why we’ve kept it around, and what could happen if we ditch it for good.

What Is Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight Saving Time is that ritual where we set our clocks forward an hour in the spring (like tomorrow, March 9, 2025, at 2 AM) and back an hour in the fall (November 2, 2025). The idea is to shift daylight from the early morning—when most of us are still snoozing—to the evening, giving us more usable sunshine after work or school. It’s not about creating extra daylight (the sun doesn’t care what our clocks say); it’s about rearranging when we see it.

Where Did It Come From?

DST’s roots go back over a century. Some folks like to blame Benjamin Franklin, who jokingly suggested in 1784 that Parisians wake up earlier to save candle wax. But the real deal started in World War I, when Germany rolled it out in 1916 to save coal by cutting down on artificial lighting. The U.S. hopped on board in 1918, and after some on-and-off experiments, it became a federal standard with the Uniform Time Act of 1966 under President Lyndon Johnson. Fun fact: It got stretched even longer in 1986—partly because candy companies wanted kids trick-or-treating in daylight on Halloween. Who knew Big Candy had a say in our clocks?

Why Does It Exist?

The original pitch was energy savings—less need for lights and heat if we stretch daylight into the evening. It was also sold as a boost for farmers (though cows don’t read clocks) and a way to give folks more time outdoors after work. Today, supporters say it cuts energy use, boosts retail sales (people shop more when it’s light out), and even reduces evening crime since crooks prefer the dark. But here’s the rub: studies show the energy savings are tiny—sometimes offset by cranking the AC—and the benefits are shaky at best.

What Happens If We Get Rid of It?

If AB 81 passes, Nevada would join Arizona and Hawaii on permanent standard time. No more clock changes after this November. In summer, the sun would rise as early as 4:30 AM and set around 7:30 PM—earlier than the 8:30 PM we get with DST. Winter would feel the same as now, with sunrises around 7 AM and sunsets near 5 PM. No big shock there. The real win? No more groggy mornings after “springing forward” or that weird jet-lag vibe in the fall. Studies link those clock shifts to more car accidents, heart attacks, and even strokes in the days after—6% more crashes and 24% more heart attacks post-spring change, per researchers. Ditching DST could save lives and sanity.

Why Keeping the Light On Longer Might Be Better

Now, some folks—like me—think permanent daylight saving time (keeping that extra evening light year-round) beats standard time. Imagine winter sunsets at 6 PM instead of 5 PM. Kids could play outside longer, families could enjoy evenings, and businesses could cash in on folks not rushing home in the dark. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine pushes standard time, saying it’s better for our body clocks, but others argue evening light cuts seasonal depression and keeps us active. Plus, in a state like Nevada, where tourism and outdoor fun are king, more evening daylight could mean more dollars flowing. Look at 1974: We tried permanent DST during the oil crisis, and while ranchers griped about dark mornings, urban folks loved the extra evening glow.

The Bottom Line

This bill’s a chance to stop the clock-changing nonsense—Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch and

Senator Robin Titus are fighting for it, citing health and safety. But should we lock in standard time or push Congress to let us keep DST forever? Standard time’s simpler under current federal law (states can opt out of DST, but not stay on it without D.C.’s blessing). Still, I say evening light aligns better with how we live—work, play, and spend.

What do you think, Nevada? Are you ready to “lock the clock” on standard time, or should we fight for permanent evening sunshine?

Weigh in below—your voice matters in this fight for common-sense timekeeping!

Here’s the Bill’s Text:

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/11902/Text

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