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.