The proposal would eliminate the twice-yearly clock change, keeping evenings lighter longer and mornings darker. For some families, that shift would be welcome. "I like the light longer in the day," said Greg Leonka of Raleigh. "I don't have kids for the bus stop anymore. So that's not an issue for me. But I like to be able to do things outside in the evening. And the longer it's late, the better."
His wife, Billie Jo Leonka, said she's less invested in the debate. "I'm sure there are more important things to go back and forth with. For years they've been talking about this."
Safety concerns remain central to arguments for keeping the current "spring forward, fall back" system. Johnny Page of Raleigh said darker mornings can be dangerous and something he experienced firsthand after being hit by a car early one morning.
"It was crazy. I was happy that I wasn't hurt," he said.
His daughter, Olivia, said waiting for the bus in the dark can be unsettling. "Kinda scary. Because you never know what's going to happen."
Others believe permanent daylight saving time would benefit kids and teens. "After school, they'll be able to do more activities without worrying, oh, it's going to get dark," said Abigail Leonka. "I think it's a great idea to pass the bill."
Before becoming law, the measure must pass the Senate. "It's hard to tell with our politicians, but I'm hoping that they pass it," Greg Leonka said.
Within the House bill, there's language that would allow states to decide whether to adopt permanent daylight saving time. In North Carolina, lawmakers have already filed House Bill 12, which would observe standard time year-round. Rep. Allison Dahle, D-Wake, one of the bill's sponsors, said the issue is important to some families but not the top priority for most voters.
"I think as lawmakers, sometimes we get lost in that because there's something that's so important to us," Dahle said. "But I think you have to read the room. And right now, our country is saying, could we do some other things?"
House Bill 12 remains stalled in committee on Jones Street as the federal proposal heads to the Senate for debate.
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