With daylight saving time set to begin on March 8, 2026, discussions about whether to continue biannual clock changes are resurfacing across the Pacific Northwest. According to reporting by KGW, Oregon lawmakers have again signaled interest in making daylight saving time permanent, a move similar to past proposals in both Washington and California.

Oregon’s push, as described in KGW’s reporting, builds on legislation previously approved by the Oregon Legislature that would shift the state to permanent daylight saving time if Congress grants states that authority. Federal law currently allows states to opt out of daylight saving time entirely, but maintaining it year-round requires Congressional approval.

Washington lawmakers approved a similar measure in 2019, placing the state on record in support of a permanent daylight saving schedule. That law also requires federal authorization before any change can take effect. In the years since, multiple bipartisan bills in Congress have stalled without reaching the president’s desk.

The three West Coast states originally intended to move together so that the region’s timekeeping would remain aligned. For Southwest Washington residents, especially those who commute daily across the Columbia River into Oregon, consistency between the two states remains central to the debate. Differences in timekeeping would affect school start times, shift work, transportation schedules, and cross-border business operations.

Supporters of permanent daylight saving time have argued in legislative hearings that extended evening daylight benefits commerce and recreation. Opponents have raised concerns about extremely dark winter mornings, particularly for students traveling to school.

As of February 28, 2026, Congress has not authorized states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, and both Washington and Oregon remain required to shift clocks forward on March 8 and back again on November 1.

For now, the region continues to track federal deliberations. Any Congressional action would need to account for national transportation coordination, interstate commerce, and the need to avoid patchwork time zones among closely connected states.

Why this matters for Cowlitz County

Southwest Washington’s economic and civic life is closely tied to Oregon. Whether federal lawmakers eventually permit permanent daylight saving time will shape future scheduling across schools, hospitals, long‑haul freight routes, and employers operating on both sides of the Columbia River. Residents here are among the Washingtonians most likely to feel the effects of any regional shift the moment it takes effect.

Sources
KGW: Daylight saving time starts soon: Here’s which states want to make it permanent