Lawmakers leave time change unchanged

Many Texans hoped state lawmakers would finally end time changes during the 88th Legislative Session when a bumper crop of bills proposed putting Texas on permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time. But all failed during the regular session and lawmakers probably will not consider the topic again during their fourth special session this month although polls show that ending the practice is a home run with voters.

The most promising legislation was filed by Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, who saw his bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent fail to get a Senate floor vote after the House passed it 138-5 during the regular legislative session.

Gov. Greg Abbott indicated that he “strongly” supports the bill but did not include it in any of the special session agendas.

Even if a state law passed making Daylight Savings Time permanent, it would need Congressional approval to take effect. However, federal law allows states to adopt permanent Standard Time, something 19 states have done.

Although time change legislation was not included on the agenda, or “call,” of the fourth special session that started last week on school vouchers and funding and on border security, it was very much on the minds of Olneyites who “fell back” as the clock switched to Standard Time on Nov. 5.

Johns Hopkins University cited a 2015 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine showing that populations living on the western edges of time zones—who get light later in the morning and evening—and people with little control over their schedules, such as shift workers who drive to work very early, are more at risk for misalignment.

“Adolescents who get less sleep often have behavioral, learning, and attention issues, as well as an increased risk of accidents, injuries, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems. The study found that during school days after the time change, students were sleepier, had slower reaction times, and were less attentive.

A YouGov poll showed last spring that 62 percent of Americans favor doing away with the twice-yearly time changes but lawmakers – from Congress to the Texas Legislature – can’t seem to follow through. The YouGov survey showed that Americans are just as scattered about whether they want to stay permanently on daylight saving time or standard time. The survey showed that 50 percent of respondents wanted permanent daylight saving time, meaning later sunrises and sunsets, but also wanted to start their days with the sun already up – which occurs on standard time.

Respondents also said they favored the option that “is healthiest and most in line with human circadian rhythms (36 percent) and the option that “promotes safety in the morning among commuters and children going to school (21 percent).”

Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, said Rep. Metcalf ’s bill apparently was held up in the Senate. Rep. Spiller said it was unlikely that lawmakers would tackle time change again during the fourth special session but added the issue would likely appear again during the next regular session in 2025.

“My personal preference is for daylight saving time but I don’t really care,” he said. “But I hate this changing it back and forth silliness. I’m not a fan of that.”