HB 1393 would direct Texas to observe daylight saving time year-round, if and only if federal law is changed to allow states to do so. The bill amends the Government Code to add a new subsection stating that Texas, acting under federal authorization, shall remain on daylight saving time throughout the year. It applies to both the Central Time and Mountain Time portions of the state and would rename the state’s standard time reference as “Texas Time.”
The bill is structured as a conditional measure: it does not take effect unless Congress enacts legislation that becomes law authorizing year-round daylight saving time for Texas. If that federal change never occurs, HB 1393 has no legal effect. The bill’s effective date is otherwise set for September 1, 2025.
Impact
If triggered by federal authorization, HB 1393 would change Texas timekeeping law by requiring year-round daylight saving time statewide and by updating the state’s official time terminology. It would affect all Texas residents, businesses, schools, transportation systems, and government operations that rely on time standards, including the state’s Central and Mountain Time regions. Because the bill is contingent on federal action, it does not immediately alter current law unless Congress first permits the change.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support overall, passing the House by a large margin and the Senate by a comfortable majority, though not unanimously. The vote totals suggest general approval of the idea of year-round daylight saving time or at least of advancing the measure. No committee transcript was provided, so the available record shows support through floor votes rather than detailed debate.
Contention
The main point of contention is the policy itself: whether Texas should remain on daylight saving time year-round and whether that is desirable for residents and commerce. A second issue is federal preemption, since the bill expressly depends on Congress authorizing the state to make the change. The recorded nays in both chambers indicate some lawmakers opposed the proposal, likely due to concerns about health, safety, disruption to daily schedules, or the practicality of changing time rules without federal action.