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.