Washington: Does the state observe daylight saving time?
Washington observes daylight saving time and has a 2019 law to stay on it all year once Congress allows it.
A 2019 law (House Bill 1196) puts Washington on Pacific daylight time all year, starting the first Sunday in November after federal law allows it. Until then, state law keeps the usual spring and fall clock changes. A 2026 bill to move to permanent standard time (HB 2119) stayed in committee.
Conditions
- Federal law must authorize year-round daylight saving time
What the law says
If the United States congress amends federal law to authorize states to observe daylight saving time year-round, the legislature intends that Washington state make daylight saving time the permanent time of the state and all of its political subdivisions. ... The time of the state of Washington and all of its political subdivisions is Pacific daylight time throughout the calendar year, as determined by reference to coordinated universal time.
Sources
- RCW 1.20.052 and 1.20.055 (chapter 1.20 RCW) Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- RCW 1.20.051 (current daylight saving time) Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- Washington Legislature, HB 2119 (2026) Official · app.leg.wa.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Washington State Legislature
- Phone
- 1-800-562-6000
- Website
- leg.wa.gov
How bordering states compare
- Idaho Observes DST, law to go year-roundIdaho observes daylight saving time; a 2020 law would make it permanent in Idaho's Pacific time zone once Washington does.
- Oregon Observes DST, law to go year-roundOregon observes daylight saving time; a 2019 law moves it to year-round if California and Washington do the same.
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