Arkansas does not currently observe daylight saving time, aligning with just two other states: Arizona and Hawaii. The very simple reason behind this choice primarily revolves around health and energy concerns.
Arkansas state lawmakers, led by Representative Stephen Meeks, have pushed bills to permanently end daylight saving time due to its negative health effects. Frequent clock changes disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to increased risks of heart attacks, sleep disorders, and automobile accidents shortly after time shifts. These health concerns outweigh the original energy-saving intent from World War I, which modern studies suggest is now largely ineffective or even counterproductive.
Additionally, daylight saving time causes reduced worker productivity and economic impacts in the weeks following time changes due to disrupted sleep cycles.
Arkansas aims to remain year-round on standard time, avoiding the biannual time changes altogether. This places Arkansas alongside Arizona and Hawaii as states choosing not to observe daylight saving time to prioritize public health and economic stability considerations.
Federal law allows states to exempt themselves from daylight saving time entirely, as long as the whole state does so, which has enabled Arkansas to pursue this path.
Thus, the very simple reason Arkansas doesn’t do daylight saving time is a combination of health concerns, economic disruption, and a desire for consistent, humane timekeeping.
SOURCES
[1](https://katv.com/news/local/no-more-daylight-saving-time-in-arkansas-state-lawmaker-files-bill-to-end-practice-hb1069-end-dst-stephen-meeks-state-representative-district-42-trump-republican-standard-time-sleep-cycle-health-effects-timezones-law)
[2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qbIUS-9Cas)
[3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States)
[4](https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5149485-daylight-saving-time-2025-these-states-are-trying-to-lock-the-clocks/)
[5](https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/daylight-saving-time-state-legislation)
