Zaffirini’s bill ending daylight saving time in Texas

The text as introduced · 878 words

89R2884 MCK-D

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 64

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to observing standard time year-round and authorizing a

statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for

observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving

time year-round.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) Section 312.016, Government Code, is

amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The state, acting under the exemption provisions of

Section 3(a), Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. Section 260a(a)),

is exempt from the provisions of that law that establish daylight

saving time. The exemption provided by this subsection applies to

both the portion of the state using central standard time as the

official standard time and the portion of the state using mountain

standard time as the official standard time.

(b) This section takes effect November 3, 2025, to coincide

with the end of daylight saving time for 2025.

SECTION 2. (a) Section 312.016, Government Code, is

amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The state, acting as authorized under federal law, shall

observe daylight saving time year-round. This subsection applies

to both the portion of the state using central standard time as the

official standard time and the portion of the state using mountain

standard time as the official standard time.

(b) Section 312.016(d), Government Code, as added by this

section, becomes law only if a majority of the votes cast in the

statewide referendum authorized by Section 3 of this Act are in

favor of "Observing daylight saving time year-round." If a

majority of the votes cast in the statewide referendum authorized

by Section 3 of this Act are not in favor of "Observing daylight

saving time year-round," this section has no effect.

SECTION 3. (a) If the United States Congress enacts

legislation that becomes law that authorizes this state to observe

daylight saving time year-round, a statewide referendum shall be

conducted to allow the voters of this state to indicate a preference

for either:

(1) observing standard time year-round; or

(2) observing daylight saving time year-round.

(b) The ballot for the referendum shall be printed to state

as follows: "Which of the following do you prefer?

"Observing standard time year-round."

"Observing daylight saving time year-round."

(c) The secretary of state shall design the ballot for the

referendum to enable a voter to select either of the statements set

out in Subsection (b) of this section as the voter's preference.

(d) The proposition for the referendum shall be printed on

the ballot under the heading: "Referendum Proposition."

(e) Notice of the election shall be given in the same manner

that notice of proposed constitutional amendments is given.

(f) Returns of the votes cast on the proposition shall be

prepared and canvassed in the same manner as the returns on the

proposed constitutional amendments. Immediately after the results

of the election are certified, the secretary of state shall

transmit a copy of the certification to the lieutenant governor and

the speaker of the house of representatives.

(g) Except as provided by Subsection (h) of this section,

the statewide referendum under this section shall be held during

the first general election for state and county officers following

the date the United States Congress enacts legislation that becomes

law that authorizes this state to observe daylight saving time

year-round.

(h) If the date the United States Congress enacts

legislation that becomes law that authorizes this state to observe

daylight saving time year-round is less than 74 days before the date

of the next general election for state and county officers, the

statewide referendum under this section shall be held during the

second general election for state and county officers following the

date the United States Congress enacts legislation that becomes law

that authorizes this state to observe daylight saving time

year-round.

SECTION 4. (a) If the constitutional amendment proposed by

the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the

statewide referendum under Section 3 of this Act is approved by the

voters and if a majority of the votes cast in the statewide

referendum are in favor of "Observing standard time year-round,"

Section 312.016(d), Government Code, as added by this Act, remains

in effect and Section 2 of this Act does not take effect.

(b) If the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th

Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the statewide

referendum under Section 3 of this Act is approved by the voters and

if a majority of the votes cast in the statewide referendum are in

favor of "Observing daylight saving time year-round," Section

312.016(d), Government Code, as added by this Act, is repealed and

Section 2 of this Act takes effect on the date daylight saving time

begins after the statewide referendum under Section 3 of this Act.

SECTION 5. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this Act,

this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

(b) Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this Act take effect only if the

constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature, Regular

Session, 2025, authorizing a referendum election on the issue of

daylight saving time is approved by the voters. If that amendment

is not approved by the voters, Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this Act have

no effect.