If Florida adopts permanent daylight saving time, mornings in winter would be darker with sunrises around 8:00 a.m. or later, while evenings would be brighter, and summer daylight hours would largely stay the same.

On the summer solstice, Fort Myers would see sunrise at 6:34 a.m. and sunset at 8:23 p.m. under either current DST or permanent DST, giving a day length of 13 hours and 48 minutes.

Permanent DST would keep clocks one hour ahead year-round, altering typical sunrise and sunset times across Sarasota and the state.

The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026, but the Senate had not acted on S. 29 as of the report, and presidential support appeared contingent on broader political considerations.

Nationwide context: H.R. 139 to make DST permanent has cleared the House, with uncertain Senate action and potential presidential backing that hinges on political feasibilities.

Supporters argue permanent DST offers more stable daylight for daily activities and potential economic and tourism benefits, a view echoed by Florida lawmakers backing H.R. 139.

Opponents warn permanent DST could worsen health and safety issues from later winter mornings, with some medical experts favoring permanent standard time to preserve morning light.

Proponents emphasize consistent daylight and usable evening hours year-round, while opponents stress safety concerns for children and others in darker winter mornings.

Florida’s latitude means changes from permanent DST would be less dramatic than in northern cities, leading to comparatively smaller shifts in sunrises and sunsets.

By contrast, cities farther from the equator, like New York City and Anchorage, would experience more noticeable changes in sunrise and sunset times under a permanent DST regime.