Residents react to the Sunshine Protection Act, permanent Daylight Saving Time

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday and it is now headed to the Senate.

If the bill were to pass in the Senate, it would go to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed.

If passed into law, Daylight Saving Time would be permanent. Summertime wouldn't be affected, but people would see a bigger change in winter.

The sun would rise an hour later, just after 8 a.m. In the evening, the sun would set after 6 p.m.

Residents had mixed opinions on the subject. Jason, a local St. Joseph resident, would like to see this left up to the voters.

"It wouldn't make a difference to me," Jason said. "It needs to be set up for the voters, or they just need to leave it where it's at."

Amy Leonard is also a St. Joseph resident, but she has a different view of the Sunshine Protection Act.

"I myself would enjoy it," said Leonard. "It gives you more time in the evening to spend with people that you want to spend time with."

One topic of discussion during this debate has been the possible impact it could have on those who work in agriculture.

Local farmer Tim Gach doesn't believe the act will have much effect.

"There's 'x' number of daylight hours every day, and that really doesn't affect plant growth or livestock," Gach said. "All it may do is make a guy a little later feeding his cows."

There is no set date for when the Senate will vote.

If the bill were to be signed by President Trump, states would be able to determine if this were something they wanted to implement or not.