Texas House Bill HJR135

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment abolishing daylight saving time in Texas.

Impact

The impact of abolishing daylight saving time could be significant for various sectors, including education, commerce, and public safety. Proponents argue that it could lead to increased cohesion in daily schedules and reduced confusion about time shifts. Additionally, it could help avoid negative impacts on health associated with the transition into and out of daylight saving time. Residents may benefit from consistent timekeeping, which could also enhance local business operations and potentially attract more visitors who value predictability in the daily schedule.

Summary

HJR135 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at abolishing daylight saving time in Texas. By introducing this amendment, the state seeks to exempt itself from the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which mandates the observance of daylight saving time. If enacted, this measure would allow portions of Texas currently observing central and mountain standard times to remain on standard time year-round, thus eliminating the biannual clock changes that occur with the start and end of daylight saving time.

Contention

However, there are notable points of contention regarding HJR135. Critics argue that abolishing daylight saving time might affect industries that benefit from longer evening daylight during summer months, such as retail and tourism. This section is particularly contentious as opponents fear that not observing daylight saving time could inhibit economic activity and reduce overall productivity. Furthermore, transitioning to a permanent standard time could have implications for synchronization with neighboring states, especially for businesses operating across state lines.