Washington's last clock change. Ever.
A citizens' initiative to permanently end the biannual clock change in Washington State — grounded in science, respectful of federal law, and actionable right now. Permanent standard time now; permanent daylight time once Congress allows.
The Initiative
Three provisions. Clean logic.
The Last Fall Back Act is structured to work immediately — and to handle any future federal action gracefully.
Permanent Standard Time — Immediately
Once enacted, Washington observes Pacific Standard Time year-round. If the Act takes effect after a fall-back date — as it would following a November election — the very next spring-forward is canceled. No waiting for the following autumn.
Effective immediatelyNo More Clock Changes — In Either Direction
All Washington State agencies, instrumentalities, and political subdivisions are prohibited from advancing official timekeeping on any subsequent Spring Forward Date. The disruption ends permanently.
Year-round stabilityA Built-In Federal Bridge
If Congress ever enacts a law permitting states to permanently observe Daylight Saving Time, Washington transitions to permanent PDT on the next spring date — at least 60 days after federal authorization. Either way, the clock-changing ends.
Future-proofWhy standard time — not permanent DST?
States have clear federal authority to adopt permanent standard time under 15 U.S.C. § 260a — the same authority Arizona and Hawaii use today. Permanent daylight saving time, by contrast, requires Congressional authorization that has not been enacted. The Last Fall Back Act takes the path that's available now — ending the clock change immediately, then switching to permanent daylight time automatically once Congress allows.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 260a — Federal Uniform Time ActThe Evidence
The science is not ambiguous.
Every major medical organization that has studied the question agrees. The research below is publicly available — click any card to read the source.
Barnes & Wagner's analysis of national injury data found that on the Monday after the spring change, workers slept about 40 minutes less and sustained 5.7% more workplace injuries — with 68% more workdays lost. No such spike follows the fall change, when an hour is gained.
Peer-Reviewed · apa.orgThe AHA documents the evidence that the spring clock change is associated with measurable increases in myocardial infarction and stroke in the days immediately following. Sleep disruption triggers cardiovascular events in vulnerable individuals.
AHA News · heart.orgSipilä et al. examined a decade of Finnish stroke hospitalizations and found ischemic stroke incidence elevated in the first two days after a daylight saving transition — with older adults and cancer patients the most susceptible.
Peer-Reviewed · Sleep MedicineFritz et al. analyzed 22 years of U.S. crash data and found fatal motor-vehicle accidents rose about 6% in the workweek after the spring transition — roughly 28 additional deaths a year — with the risk highest in the morning and on the western edge of each time zone.
Peer-Reviewed · cell.comA 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis pooling 12 studies across 10 countries found a measurable increase in acute myocardial infarction risk in the days after the spring "spring forward" — and no matching rise after the fall change back.
Systematic Review · PMCESSB 5139, signed into law in 2019, expresses the legislature's intent to observe permanent DST — but only if Congress acts. That authorization hasn't come. The Last Fall Back Act takes the path that doesn't require waiting.
Public Law · app.leg.wa.govThe Path Forward
How this becomes law.
The fastest way to end the clock change is the Legislature. Contact your state legislator and ask them to introduce and pass the Last Fall Back Act — permanent standard time now, then permanent daylight time once Congress allows — in the 2027 session — find your legislator. If they don't act, we begin gathering signatures in May 2027 to put it on the 2028 general election ballot.
The fastest way to end the clock change is the Legislature. Contact your state representatives and ask them to introduce and pass the Last Fall Back Act in the 2027 session — find your legislator. Washington already voted for permanent daylight time in 2019, but it's blocked until Congress acts. The Last Fall Back Act ends the clock change now on permanent standard time, and switches to permanent daylight time automatically once Congress allows.
The 2027 session runs from mid-January through late April, with bills typically signed into law by early May. If the Legislature passes the Last Fall Back Act, the job is done — no ballot initiative needed.
If the session ends without action, we file the citizens' initiative with the Washington Secretary of State and start collecting signatures — taking the question directly to the voters.
Gathering 308,911+ valid signatures from registered Washington voters — through volunteers and partner networks — to qualify for the 2028 general election ballot. (Statutory minimum per WA Secretary of State, 2025–2028 filing period.)
If the Legislature has not already enacted it, the initiative appears on the 2028 general election ballot. A majority vote makes it law.
Washington falls back in November 2028. The spring-forward scheduled for March 2029 is canceled. Washington is on permanent Pacific Standard Time — forever, or until Congress authorizes states to adopt permanent DST, at which point a smooth, planned transition follows.
Express Your Interest
Ready to support this?
First, ask your legislator to pass the Last Fall Back Act in the 2027 session — find your legislator. If they don't, we start gathering signatures in May 2027 for the 2028 general election ballot. Either way, add your name to stay informed and be ready when the petition opens.
Spread the Word