Washington state does not currently observe permanent daylight saving time because federal law requires congressional approval for states to adopt permanent daylight saving time. Although Washington passed legislation to observe year-round Pacific Standard Time (not daylight saving time) since 2019, the state remains on standard time year-round rather than daylight saving time.
The very simple reason for this is that staying on standard time year-round is a unilateral decision states can make, whereas adopting permanent daylight saving time requires Congress to change federal law. Washington’s legislature and many experts support permanent standard time because it aligns better with natural circadian rhythms and promotes health benefits. However, adopting permanent daylight saving time faces a legislative hurdle since Congress has not yet passed nationwide changes.
Alongside Washington, Arizona also does not observe daylight saving time, choosing to stay on permanent standard time. These states are exceptions in the U.S., where most states observe the twice-yearly clock changes or seek congressional approval to stop changing clocks with permanent daylight saving time.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/23/daylight-saving-debate-washington-seattle)
[2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States)
[3](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/latest-updates-daylight-saving-time-legislation-change)
[4](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5526971-these-states-approved-permanent-daylight-saving-time-why-their-clocks-still-change-in-november/)
[5](https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/daylight-saving-time-state-legislation)
