Rubio, Scott propose permanent Daylight Saving Time for entire U.S.

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Some of Florida's lawmakers in Washington are trying again to end the twice-a-year time change - but not just for the Sunshine State.

Now, the president is weighing in, tweeting his approval of the idea.

Currently, federal law specifies that daylight time applies from 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March until 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November in areas that do not specifically exempt themselves, which Hawaii and Arizona have done. The reverse is prohibited and requires congressional action.

More than two dozen states are considering measures to avoid a twice-yearly clock change.

Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with Rep. Vern Buchanan, have introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the country.

Trump tweeted Monday that making daylight saving time permanent is "O.K. with me!"

Florida's legislature passed a similar bill during the last session, and then-Governor Scott signed it. But the change did not get the required approval from Congress, so nothing happened.

Now, they're trying again, this time at the federal level. And this version would apply to all states.

LINK: Read the full text of the bill (PDF)

As the basis for the bill, the lawmakers cited research that showed ending Daylight Savings Time would reduce car crashes, robberies, and health issues while benefiting the economy and agriculture.

"Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is why Florida's legislature overwhelmingly voted to make it permanent last year," Sen. Rubio stated. "Reflecting the will of the state of Florida, I'm proud to reintroduce this bill to also make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationally."

Opponents of Florida's bill last year warned of problems caused by being out of sync with neighboring states, though a nationwide change would eliminate that issue. Others expressed concerns about children heading to school in the dark.

Meanwhile, Daylight Saving Time began again this weekend, forcing almost the entire country to lose an hour of sleep Sunday morning.