Daylight saving time: Where Arkansas efforts to ‘lock the clocks' stands
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansans will soon lose one hour of sleep as the clocks spring forward on March 9, marking the start of daylight saving time.
However, some Arkansas lawmakers are attempting to 'lock the clocks' and end the twice-a-year time change. Arkansas is one of at least 31 states with bills introduced in their current legislation regarding time change, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
One bill currently in the Arkansas legislature, House Bill 1069, would keep standard time year-round and eliminate daylight saving time.
The bill would allow state employees the option to adjust their work schedule one hour earlier during the portion of the year when other states observe daylight saving time.
HB1069 is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Meeks (R-Greenbrier), and if passed, Arkansas would join Arizona and Hawaii as the only states to not observe daylight saving time.
As of March 6, the bill remains in the House with no updates since Feb. 13.
This bill is not the only attempt by Arkansas lawmakers to end the time change in the Natural State.
Daylight saving time 2025: These states are trying to 'lock the clocks'
State Rep. Sarah Capp (R-Ozark) filed House Bill 1368 in February 2019, which would adopt year-round standard time and eliminate daylight saving time in Arkansas. However, Capp withdrew the bill 23 days after filing it.
Rep. Johnny Rye (R-Trumann) filed House Bill 1017 in 2020, the exact opposite of Capp's bill. Daylight saving time would be adopted year-round and standard time would go away. The bill passed the House in February 2021 by a 71-24 vote but died in a Senate committee meeting in October of that year.
Rye tried again in 2022 with House Bill 1039, which would have also adopted daylight saving time. One month later, Rye withdrew the bill.
Meeks made an attempt in 2023 with House Bill 1568. The bill would have eliminated daylight saving time and observed standard time year-round. The bill was withdrawn three weeks later.
Another attempt made in 2023 was done by Rep. R. Scott Richardson (R-Bentonville) and co-sponsored by Rep. Wayne Long (R-Bradford) with House Bill 1104. It was also withdrawn about two weeks after it was filed.
Whichever Arkansans prefer, the clocks will be turned back an hour on Sunday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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