Major Change To GA Time Zone Advances: What To Know

ATLANTA, GA — Twice-yearly time changes could be a thing of the past in Georgia after the state Senate passed a bill requesting the adoption of the Atlantic Standard Time zone.

The Georgia Senate on Monday passed House Bill 154, also known as the “Georgia Sunshine Protection Act,” with a 45-5 vote and adjustments. The bill was carried by Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia.

Georgia currently operates under the Eastern Standard Time zone, but "springing forward" and "falling back" could become history.

If HB 154 becomes law, Gov. Brian Kemp would be mandated to request U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy put Georgia in the Atlantic zone by Dec. 31.

If Duffy gives approval, Atlantic will become the official time zone year-round in Georgia, with no changes to the clocks during daylight saving time.

This would make Georgia the only U.S. state to observe Atlantic time zone, though U.S. territory Puerto Rico is in the zone, WSB reported.

"The citizens of Georgia would benefit from increased evening daylight for 19 commerce, recreation and family activities. The twice-yearly change between standard time and daylight saving time disrupts sleep, commerce, transportation scheduling and school schedules," the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services stated in the legislation.

Senators highlighted past consideration from Congress to sanction states to observe daylight saving time all year, but the measure has not yet been established.

However, the Senate stated that if this does happen, Georgia should continue to observe year-round daylight saving time in the Eastern Standard Time zone.

"The State of Georgia should pursue lawful means to secure permanent daylight saving time while maintaining alignment with national economic and transportation systems," the Senate stated.

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, but it has since been stalled by disagreements over whether to adopt daylight saving or standard time as the year-round permanent time.

In Georgia, House Bill 870 failed in 2024. The bill would have exempted Georgia from daylight saving time if neighboring states were exempted, and instead, would have transitioned Georgia to permanent standard time, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

HB 154 now returns to the Georgia House for approval.