Question 1

What does HR9638 do?

Accepted Answer

This legislation establishes permanent standard time as the national default while granting states the explicit authority to opt into daylight saving time through state law. The bill fundamentally reverses the current federal framework, under which daylight saving time is the national default and states may only opt out into permanent standard time. By making standard time the baseline, the bill aligns federal timekeeping policy with growing scientific and public health consensus that permanent standard time better supports human circadian rhythms, particularly for children. The scope is national in reach but deliberately flexible in application, recognizing that states have diverse geographic, economic, and cultural relationships with time. The bill's title — referencing sunshine for children — signals its primary public health rationale: ensuring that children's school schedules, sleep patterns, and daily routines are governed by a time standard more closely aligned with natural daylight cycles.

Question 2

Who sponsored HR9638?

Accepted Answer

Mary Gay Scanlon, Pat Harrigan, Nanette Barragan, Morgan McGarvey, Jill Tokuda, Nikema Williams

Question 3

What is the status of HR9638?

Accepted Answer

Introduced as of July 9, 2026.

H.R.9638

H. R. 9638