Bill Text: TX SB1297 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

---

Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-09 - Referred to State Affairs [SB1297 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB1297-Introduced.html

---

88R5860 MCK-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1297

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 6, 2023, to coincide
with the end of daylight saving time for 2023.
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 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, 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 88th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, 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, 2023.
(b) Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this Act take effect only if the
constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2023, 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.