88R6601 MCK-D

By: Metcalf H.B. No. 1425

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing daylight saving time year-round.

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

SECTION 1. 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.

SECTION 2. (a) At the general election to be held on November 7, 2023, a statewide referendum shall be conducted to allow the voters of this state to indicate a preference for observing daylight saving time year-round.

(b) The ballot for the referendum shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The state should observe daylight saving time year-round."

(c) The proposition for the referendum shall be printed on the ballot under the heading: "Referendum Proposition" immediately following the proposed constitutional amendment authorizing a statewide referendum to allow the voters to vote for or against observing daylight saving time year-round.

(d) Notice of the election shall be given in the same manner that notice of proposed constitutional amendments is given.

(e) 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.

SECTION 3. (a) Section 1 of this Act takes effect only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, authorizing the statewide referendum under Section 2 of this Act is approved by the voters, a majority of the votes cast in the statewide referendum are in favor of "Observing daylight saving time year-round," and the United States Congress enacts legislation that becomes law that authorizes the State of Texas to observe daylight saving time year-round. If the United States Congress does not enact legislation that becomes law described by this subsection, Section 1 of this Act has no effect.

(b) If the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, authorizing the statewide referendum under Section 2 of this Act is approved by the voters and a majority of the votes cast in the statewide referendum are against "Observing daylight saving time year-round," Section 1 of this Act does not take effect.

SECTION 4. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this Act takes effect immediately if this Act receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

(b) This Act takes effect only if the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing a referendum election on the issue of daylight saving time. If the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, does not propose such a constitutional amendment, this Act has no effect.

(c) Sections 2 and 3 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 and 3 of this Act have no effect.