MCALLEN, Texas — Lawmakers in Texas are renewing efforts to end the longstanding tradition of biannual clock changes that occur each spring and fall.
Several representatives from both the Texas House and the Senate have proposed legislation aimed at eliminating the disruption of losing an hour of sleep in March for daylight saving time, only to gain it back in November when reverting to standard time.
Currently, Texas follows standard time and is set to switch to daylight saving time on March 9.
Most new bills are centered on the idea of adopting daylight saving time throughout the year. While this issue was highlighted in the 2023 legislative session, state Senator Judith Zaffirini, a Democrat from Laredo, is taking a unique approach. Her proposal aims to establish standard time as the year-round practice in Texas, aligning with federal law stipulations.
If Zaffirini’s legislation passes and Congress subsequently permits states to adopt year-round daylight saving time, then voters would have the opportunity to choose between the two options.
Zaffirini emphasized the negative effects of switching the clock twice annually, noting that it can lead to increased traffic incidents, adverse health consequences, and a decline in productivity.
Her proposal takes inspiration from a similar initiative introduced by Republican Representative Will Metcalf from Conroe during the last legislative session. Metcalf’s bill, which sought to transition Texas to year-round daylight saving time, received bipartisan support from House members but ultimately did not advance in the Senate.
In this legislative cycle, Metcalf has again put forward a bill advocating for permanent daylight saving time, emphasizing the desire for longer evenings filled with daylight.
“Texas doesn’t need to wait for Washington,” Metcalf stated in a press release. “By passing HB 1393, we’ll demonstrate leadership and send a clear signal that Texans are ready for progress.”
According to the Uniform Time Act, states have the authority to opt out of daylight saving time and maintain standard time year-round. Should they choose to implement daylight saving time, they must adhere to federally mandated start and end dates. However, potential changes are on the horizon as U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Rick Scott have reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would establish daylight saving time as the national standard year-round.
A similar measure was narrowly approved by the U.S. Senate in 2022 but did not receive a vote in the House.
There’s a notable divide among Americans regarding their preference for remaining on daylight saving time or standard time. However, a survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine indicates a greater preference for abolishing time changes altogether.
Approximately 50% of respondents favored legislation to eliminate seasonal time shifts, while 26% opposed the idea, and 24% were uncertain.
Experts on sleep suggest that standard time is more beneficial as it aligns better with the body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep patterns.
Conversely, David J. Earnest, a professor at the Texas A&M School of Medicine, argues that consistency matters more than the specific time adopted.
“The essential factor is that the time remains regular day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month throughout the year,” said Earnest, noting that abrupt changes can throw off the body’s internal clock, especially for children and older adults.
Further research has linked time changes to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, mood disorders, and higher hospitalization rates, along with a significant rise in traffic accidents, as highlighted by findings from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“These concerns contribute to the frustrations voiced by many Texans, including constituents who have explicitly requested this bill,” Zaffirini expressed. “SB 64 guarantees that they will have a say in Texas’s future approach, fostering long-term stability.”
