As fall gently settles in Florida, this transition marks more than seasonal change; it signals the imminent end of Daylight Saving Time on November 2, 2025. While the thermometer may not noticeably dip in Florida’s typically warm climate, there will be a subtle shift in daily routines as the clocks are set back an hour at 2 a.m. This adjustment will result in earlier sunrises and sunsets, altering the rhythm of daily life for Floridians.
Daylight Saving Time began in March, advancing clocks by an hour to make the most of daylight during spring and summer. Now, as we revert to Standard Time, this annual ritual brings mixed feelings within the Sunshine State. In 2018, former Florida Governor Rick Scott sought to make Daylight Saving Time a permanent fixture, signing HB 1013 into law. However, this change hinges on the U.S. Congress amending federal law to allow Florida, and any other states that wish to join, to maintain Daylight Saving Time year-round.
The push for permanent Daylight Saving Time found a champion in former U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who introduced the “Sunshine Protection Act” at the federal level. Unfortunately, the proposal has remained stalled in legislative waters. Following Rubio’s appointment as U.S. Secretary of State under President Donald Trump, the torch has been carried forward by U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan, who reintroduced the bill in January.
While the debate continues, Florida residents prepare for the annual clock adjustment, with some hoping that the eventual adoption of year-round Daylight Saving Time may simplify the process and bring an end to the biannual disruption. Whether or not these efforts will lead to change remains uncertain, but the push for consistency continues to resonate with many across the state.