A major shift in how Texans experience time is one step closer to becoming reality. House Bill 1393, which would place Texas on permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST) pending federal authorization, has passed both chambers of the state legislature and is now on its way to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
The Texas Senate gave its final stamp of approval Thursday with a 27-4 vote, following the House’s strong bipartisan support last month, where the bill cleared by a vote of 133-13. The legislation, authored by Rep. Will Metcalf (R-Conroe), aims to end the twice-yearly ritual of changing the clocks — a move long debated for its potential health, economic, and societal effects.
“It’s time for Texas time,” declared Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) as he presented the bill on the Senate floor. The bill officially labels the new standard as “Texas Time,” reflecting the state’s intent to lead the charge in ending what many see as an antiquated federal mandate.
A Trigger Law Waiting on Washington
Despite the overwhelming support at the state level, HB 1393 is structured as a “trigger law” — meaning it will not take effect unless Congress amends the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which currently allows states to opt out of DST but does not permit permanent DST.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), a vocal proponent of the measure, has pushed for such changes federally. “Whether we lock the clock on standard year-round or on daylight savings time, let’s think carefully about our health, our economy, and our wellbeing,” Cruz said, advocating for a “sensible approach to time management.”
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the debate, calling the biannual clock change a “big inconvenience” and urging Republicans nationwide to eliminate it. “The House and Senate should push hard for more daylight at the end of the day,” Trump wrote in a TruthSocial post. “Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks — a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!”
A Bipartisan but Complex Conversation
The legislation enjoyed rare bipartisan momentum. Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) supported the bill but expressed a desire to let voters decide through a constitutional amendment. “I appreciate the work on this bill, but I still believe something this impactful should go to the people,” Menéndez said on the floor.
Despite broad support, some ideological tension lingers within the GOP. The official platform of the Republican Party of Texas includes a plank opposing DST entirely, stating that “Texas should no longer participate in Daylight Savings Time.” Still, lawmakers argue that keeping DST year-round would be more beneficial than the current “spring forward, fall back” system.
Bettencourt closed debate by pointing to studies showing that the biannual clock change is detrimental to public health, citing spikes in heart attacks, strokes, and disrupted sleep patterns following the shift.
“All of the studies that have been done on the impact it has on the health of people … the change in time, as we have it under present law, has had a very negative impact,” he emphasized.
What Happens Next?
Governor Abbott is widely expected to sign the bill, but its implementation hinges on Congressional action. Several bipartisan efforts to allow states to choose permanent DST have stalled in Washington in recent years, despite wide public support.
For now, Texans may not see immediate changes to their clocks, but the message from the state legislature is clear: it’s time to end the time change — and Texas is ready to lead the way, clock first.
