Texas House Passes Bill To End Seasonal Clock Changes
The debate over whether or not to end the changing of clocks for daylight saving time in Texas has become something that is, frankly, overdone. For several years, politicians in the Lone Star State have spent much time just talking about it, but this year, it looks like something will happen.
The Fight Over Daylight Saving Time In Texas May Finally Be Ending
News recently hit in Texas that House Bill 1393 has passed the Texas House of Representatives. Next, it's heading to the Texas Senate, and if it passes there, it will go on to the Governor's desk for his signature to become law.
House Bill 1393 is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, it makes it so that Texas will be officially observing daylight saving time, not standard time. Second, it will apply to the areas of Texas that are in both Central and Mountain time.
READ MORE: Why Texas Needs To Abandon Seasonal Time Changes
There is a catch, though. House Bill 1393 can't go into effect without action from the federal government. There's this rule that says the states can't observe daylight saving time without approval. They can, however, observe standard time year-round if they want.
So even if House Bill 1393 becomes a law in Texas, it might not mean anything. Language in the bill even says that unless the United States Congress does something, then the Act will have no effect, which makes the whole thing seem like a waste of time.
Can We Just Stop Messing With Our Sleep Cycles, Please
It's frustrating to see things like this. Why would we choose daylight saving time over standard time if we know that the federal government could not step in and stop the whole process? Why not just go with standard time?
There is a bill in the current legislative session that would do just that. Whether or not it will get the support and traction that House Bill 1393 has remains to be seen.
There have been numerous studies done on the bad effects that the seasonal clock changes have on us. It reduces productivity, there are more accidents on the road, and messing with sleep cycles is actually very unhealthy.
I don't care which one we choose. If we're going to get rid of the seasonal time change, let's just do it. Fingers crossed this is the year we quit hearing about it, and finally, something is done about daylight saving time.
What You Need To Know Before Moving To Texas
Gallery Credit: Charlie Hardin