RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 117

By: Larson

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to allow Texas voters the chance to weigh in on whether the state should continue to observe daylight saving time year-round or be exempted from daylight saving time altogether. H.J.R 117 seeks to answer those calls and provide for a statewide referendum on this matter.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 117 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to authorize the legislature by general law to hold a statewide referendum that allows the voters to indicate a preference for either exempting Texas from daylight saving time or observing daylight saving time year-round and to enact a law based on the results of the referendum. The resolution validates such a referendum that is held on the same day as the election on the constitutional amendment proposed by the resolution.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2019.