The long-standing debate over daylight saving time in Texas may soon reach a turning point, thanks to House Bill 1393, also known as the “Texas Time” bill. The legislation, which has successfully passed through the Texas legislature and now awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s signature, would eliminate the biannual clock changes and keep the state on daylight saving time permanently. However, even if signed into law by the governor, the bill cannot take effect unless Congress changes federal law to permit states to adopt daylight saving time year-round, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
Daylight saving time traces its roots to World War I, when Germany and Austria first implemented it in 1916 to conserve resources. The United States followed suit in 1918. Although often mistakenly credited to Benjamin Franklin, his 1784 satirical letter proposing to fire cannons at sunrise to wake “sluggards” was not a serious push for daylight saving time.
Critics of the practice argue that the twice-yearly time shifts are outdated and disruptive. Supporters of the “Texas Time” bill believe that ending the clock changes would reduce confusion, improve public safety, and boost productivity.
Under the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966, states are not allowed to adopt permanent daylight saving time. They may, however, opt out of the time changes entirely by remaining on standard time, a route taken by Arizona and Hawaii.
Texas now joins 18 other states that have passed similar measures supporting permanent daylight saving time, as momentum grows at the federal level to allow such changes. Until Congress acts, though, Texas will continue to spring forward and fall back. For now, the future of “Texas Time” remains on hold.
