Daylight Saving Time 2026 Is Almost Here: How Does It Impact You

Like it or not, it’s coming. Daylight Saving Time 2026 is almost here, it's that time when we spring forward, whether we like it or not. At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, clocks will move forward one hour. That means all Texans will lose an hour of sleep as we “spring forward”.

Later this year, at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, we’ll “fall back” and regain that hour of sleep that we lost. Unless federal law changes, this twice-a-year routine remains in place.

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Why Do We Change the Clocks?

Daylight Saving Time was standardized nationwide under the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

The goal was straightforward:

Shift more daylight into the evening hours
Make better use of natural light
Reduce energy consumption

In the 1960s, the belief was that longer daylight evenings would reduce electricity use. But decades later, the conversation continues.

Did It Actually Save Energy?

Studies over the years have produced mixed results. Some research suggests modern energy use, including air conditioning, electronics, and round-the-clock activity, has reduced or even erased the intended savings.

There are also ongoing discussions about:

Sleep disruption
Workplace productivity
Traffic patterns after the spring change
Effects on the body’s internal clock

You may recall I previously wrote about how time changes can disrupt sleep cycles and daily rhythms. That concern hasn’t disappeared.

What About Texas?

In 2025, Texas lawmakers passed legislation expressing support for making Daylight Saving Time permanent, meaning no more switching clocks twice a year. However, federal law currently does not allow states to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time on their own. Congress would need to amend the national law first.

Until that happens, Texas follows the national schedule.

Why Don’t Hawaii and Arizona Participate?

Federal law allows states to opt out of Daylight Saving Time entirely and remain on standard time year-round. That’s why Hawaii, most of Arizona, and the U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam do not participate in time changes. The real reason certain States cannot currently adopt a permanent Daylight Saving Time is that those States must have federal approval.