Texas Takes a Step Towards Permanent Daylight Saving Time

The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would move the state to permanent daylight saving time, ending the long-standing tradition of “springing forward” and “falling back” each year. This bill, known as House Bill 1393, aims to eliminate the time change by keeping Texas on daylight saving time (DST) year-round.

What the Bill Entails

House Bill 1393, authored by Republican Rep. Will Metcalf of Conroe, was passed by the Senate on a vote of 27-4. The measure had previously cleared the Texas House last month and now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for approval. If approved, the entire state would observe daylight saving time permanently, but this shift cannot happen without federal action.

Benefits of Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Republican from Houston, argued that extending daylight into the evening hours would better suit Texans “in this modern economy and modern age.” He believes that the bill would provide numerous benefits to Texans, as the extra hour of daylight in the evening can be used more effectively than the hour lost in the morning.

Opposition to the Bill

On the other hand, Democratic Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas voiced opposition to HB 1393. He referenced the country’s brief experiment with permanent DST in 1974, which was met with public backlash and ultimately abandoned. Johnson argued that the country should not adopt daylight saving time, citing the centuries-old tradition of standard time.

Federal Action Required

Currently, federal law only allows states to opt out of DST entirely, but not adopt it year-round. This means that even if Abbott signs HB 1393 into law, it won’t take effect unless Congress changes federal timekeeping rules. At least 18 other states have passed similar legislation, all waiting for federal approval.

Public Opinion

Public opinion on the matter appears to be divided. A 2019 poll found that 40% of Americans favored staying on standard time year-round, while 31% preferred permanent DST. Meanwhile, 28% said they preferred keeping the current system of switching clocks twice per year.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Texas Senate has taken a significant step towards adopting permanent daylight saving time. While the bill has its benefits and drawbacks, its fate ultimately lies in the hands of the federal government. If Congress changes federal timekeeping rules, Texas could become one of the first states to adopt permanent DST. As the debate continues, it will be interesting to see how this issue unfolds and whether other states will follow suit.