SB64 - Relating to observing standard time year-round and authorizing a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving time year-round.

  89R2884 MCK-D     By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 64       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to observing standard time year-round and authorizing a   statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for   observing standard time year-round or observing daylight saving   time year-round.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a)  Section 312.016, Government Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:           (d)     The state, acting under the exemption provisions of   Section 3(a), Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. Section 260a(a)),   is exempt from the provisions of that law that establish daylight   saving time. The exemption provided by 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.          (b)  This section takes effect November 3, 2025, to coincide   with the end of daylight saving time for 2025.          SECTION 2.  (a)  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.          (b)  Section 312.016(d), Government Code, as added by this   section, becomes law only if a majority of the votes cast in the   statewide referendum authorized by Section 3 of this Act are in   favor of "Observing daylight saving time year-round."  If a   majority of the votes cast in the statewide referendum authorized   by Section 3 of this Act are not in favor of "Observing daylight   saving time year-round," this section has no effect.          SECTION 3.  (a) If the United States Congress enacts   legislation that becomes law that authorizes this state to observe   daylight saving time year-round, a statewide referendum shall be   conducted to allow the voters of this state to indicate a preference   for either:                (1)  observing standard time year-round; or                (2)  observing daylight saving time year-round.          (b)  The ballot for the referendum shall be printed to state   as follows: "Which of the following do you prefer?          "Observing standard time year-round."          "Observing daylight saving time year-round."          (c)  The secretary of state shall design the ballot for the   referendum to enable a voter to select either of the statements set   out in Subsection (b) of this section as the voter's preference.          (d)  The proposition for the referendum shall be printed on   the ballot under the heading: "Referendum Proposition."          (e)  Notice of the election shall be given in the same manner   that notice of proposed constitutional amendments is given.          (f)  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.          (g)  Except as provided by Subsection (h) of this section,   the statewide referendum under this section shall be held during   the first general election for state and county officers following   the date the United States Congress enacts legislation that becomes   law that authorizes this state to observe daylight saving time   year-round.          (h)  If the date the United States Congress enacts   legislation that becomes law that authorizes this state to observe   daylight saving time year-round is less than 74 days before the date   of the next general election for state and county officers, the   statewide referendum under this section shall be held during the   second general election for state and county officers following the   date the United States Congress enacts legislation that becomes law   that authorizes this state to observe daylight saving time   year-round.          SECTION 4.  (a) If the constitutional amendment proposed by   the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the   statewide referendum under Section 3 of this Act is approved by the   voters and if a majority of the votes cast in the statewide   referendum are in favor of "Observing standard time year-round,"   Section 312.016(d), Government Code, as added by this Act, remains   in effect and Section 2 of this Act does not take effect.          (b)  If the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the statewide   referendum under Section 3 of this Act is approved by the voters and   if a majority of the votes cast in the statewide referendum are in   favor of "Observing daylight saving time year-round," Section   312.016(d), Government Code, as added by this Act, is repealed and   Section 2 of this Act takes effect on the date daylight saving time   begins after the statewide referendum under Section 3 of this Act.          SECTION 5.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,   this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.          (b)  Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this Act take effect only if the   constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2025, 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, 3, and 4 of this Act have   no effect.