A legislative effort to establish permanent daylight saving time in Texas, colloquially referred to as “Texas Time,” has advanced to the desk of Governor Greg Abbott after securing passage in both chambers of the state legislature.
House Bill 1393, authored by Representative Will Metcalf, a Republican representing Conroe, seeks to eliminate the biannual practice of adjusting clocks within the Lone Star State. The bill proposes that Texas observe daylight saving time year-round, thereby establishing a consistent time standard throughout the state.
Legislative Path to the Governor’s Desk
The journey of House Bill 1393 through the Texas Legislature involved navigating both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Following deliberations and votes, the measure successfully cleared both legislative bodies, signifying a consensus among state lawmakers regarding the potential merits of adopting permanent daylight saving time.
Supporters of the bill argue that ending the practice of changing clocks could yield various benefits, ranging from potential economic advantages to improved public health outcomes and simplified daily routines for residents and businesses alike.
The Critical Federal Hurdle: Uniform Time Act of 1966
Crucially, the implementation of “Texas Time” as outlined in House Bill 1393 is not automatically assured upon the Governor’s signature. The bill contains a significant contingency clause: its enactment is entirely dependent upon action at the federal level.
Under the existing Uniform Time Act of 1966, the federal government regulates the observance of time zones and daylight saving time across the United States. While the Act allows states to opt out of daylight saving time and observe standard time year-round (as Arizona and Hawaii currently do, with some exceptions), it does not currently permit states to unilaterally adopt daylight saving time on a permanent basis. Such a move would require an amendment or repeal of the relevant sections of the Uniform Time Act by the U.S. Congress.
Therefore, even if Governor Abbott signs House Bill 1393 into law, Texas will not transition to permanent daylight saving time unless and until the U.S. Congress enacts legislation specifically authorizing states to do so.
Texas Joins a Growing Movement
Texas is not alone in pursuing this legislative path. The state’s passage of House Bill 1393 aligns it with a broader national trend.
According to reports, Texas joins 18 other states that have previously passed similar contingent legislation, expressing their intent to move to permanent daylight saving time should federal law permit it. This collective action by multiple states signals a growing desire across various regions of the country to adopt a consistent, year-round time standard based on daylight saving time.
The movement reflects differing opinions on the utility and impact of the traditional time changes, which have been a recurring point of discussion and debate for decades since the formalization of daylight saving time.
What’s Next for “Texas Time”?
The immediate future of “Texas Time” now rests with Governor Greg Abbott. Upon receiving House Bill 1393, the Governor will have a constitutionally defined period to either sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
However, as noted, the Governor’s action is only one step in a two-step process. The ultimate fate of permanent daylight saving time in Texas hinges on potential legislative action by the U.S. Congress. Without a change in federal law to authorize states like Texas to make this transition, House Bill 1393, even if signed, would remain in a state of legislative limbo, unable to take effect.
This situation highlights the complex interplay between state legislative autonomy and federal regulatory authority concerning matters of national uniformity, such as timekeeping.
As the bill awaits action in Austin, observers will also be watching developments in Washington D.C., where similar discussions and legislative proposals regarding permanent daylight saving time have surfaced in recent years, though none have yet resulted in the necessary statutory changes to the Uniform Time Act of 1966 to grant states the authority they seek.
