According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 1393 will have no significant fiscal impact to the State of Texas. The analysis assumes that any administrative or implementation costs associated with transitioning to year-round Daylight Saving Time (DST) could be absorbed within existing agency resources. This means that agencies such as the Health and Human Services Commission, which contributed to the fiscal analysis, would not require additional appropriations to comply with or support the bill’s provisions.

Similarly, the bill is not expected to impose significant fiscal implications on local governments. Municipalities, counties, and other political subdivisions are not anticipated to incur major new costs or resource burdens as a result of this legislation. This is largely due to the fact that the bill merely changes the official time standard observed rather than creating new administrative responsibilities or compliance obligations at the local level.

Overall, the financial impact of HB 1393 is expected to be minimal across all levels of government, contingent upon federal authorization for states to adopt permanent DST. The bill represents a policy shift rather than a spending initiative, and its design avoids placing new unfunded mandates on state agencies or local entities.

HB 1393 offers a pragmatic and forward-looking solution to the widely criticized practice of changing clocks twice per year for Daylight Saving Time (DST). Citing health and logistical concerns, including evidence from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine linking clock changes to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, the bill proposes that Texas observe DST year-round. Importantly, this change is conditional: the bill only takes effect if Congress amends federal law to authorize states to make DST permanent​.

The bill presents minimal fiscal impact to state or local governments, as confirmed by the Legislative Budget Board’s fiscal note. State agencies can absorb any transitional costs using existing resources, and local entities are not expected to experience significant budgetary effects. Moreover, the legislation does not create or alter any criminal penalties, nor does it confer new rulemaking authority on state agencies.

HB 1393 ensures consistency across both Central and Mountain Time regions of Texas, promoting clarity and predictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions operating across the state. With this in mind, the bill upholds the principles of statewide uniformity and administrative efficiency while addressing public health and productivity concerns.

For these reasons, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 1393. It is a low-cost, high-impact policy change that modernizes Texas’s approach to timekeeping and positions the state to act swiftly if Congress provides the needed authorization.

• Individual Liberty: The bill promotes individual liberty by eliminating the biannual disruption to people's schedules, health, and safety. Time changes interfere with personal autonomy by mandating artificial changes to daily rhythms and biological clocks. A consistent, year-round time standard respects individuals’ ability to structure their lives with greater predictability and fewer state-imposed adjustments.
• Personal Responsibility: While the bill does not directly promote or discourage personal responsibility, it indirectly supports better decision-making by reducing the confusion and stress associated with time changes. Individuals can better manage their health, work, and family obligations under a consistent time structure, though the law does not mandate or encourage specific behaviors.
• Free Enterprise: From a market standpoint, consistency benefits business. Industries such as transportation, retail, broadcasting, and agriculture are often negatively affected by the biannual shift. A stable, year-round time reduces administrative burdens and scheduling conflicts, particularly for businesses that operate across time zones. This enhances operational efficiency and market clarity.
• Private Property Rights: The bill does not regulate or impact ownership, use, or control of private property. It is silent on land use, zoning, or property-related restrictions and thus does not encroach on or advance property rights.
• Limited Government: The bill reflects a limited government approach by setting a uniform policy without creating regulatory complexity. It imposes no new mandates, penalties, or bureaucracies. By conditioning the bill on federal authorization, it avoids preemptive overreach and maintains respect for constitutional boundaries. Additionally, establishing one standard time statewide avoids the fragmentation or micromanagement that local opt-outs would require, maintaining simplicity and administrative restraint.

The Case for Ending Daylight Saving Time in Texas

• SB 516 (Similar To)