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Committee amends and advances bill to keep North Dakota on permanent standard time
Summary
Lawmakers amended and gave a do‑pass recommendation to House Bill 1259 to keep the state on standard time year‑round rather than switching for Daylight Saving Time; the committee adopted a technical amendment and passed the bill as amended.
Representative Roger Mackey, R.-District 26 (Watford City), opened a hearing on House Bill 1259 by detailing the Uniform Time Act background and saying the bill would keep North Dakota on standard time year‑round, avoiding the twice‑yearly clock change. "Congress and and, secretary of, transportation are the only ones that can change the boundaries of the daylight savings time," Mackey noted in testimony about who controls time‑zone boundaries under federal law.
Several supporters testified that the clock changes disrupted sleep, school and agricultural schedules. Witnesses told committee members that morning daylight under standard time improves safety for schoolchildren and helps circadian rhythms; one rancher testified the shift disrupted milk production for dairy animals.
Committee members reviewed a legislative‑counsel amendment incorporating technical longitude/time‑zone language proposed by outside advocates. Representative Fraylich moved the prepared amendment, the committee approved it by voice vote, and the committee later voted to recommend the amended bill for passage. On the roll call the committee recorded a unanimous‑for‑present vote with one member recorded as absent; the committee named Representative Martin as bill carrier.
Nut graf: The amended bill would keep North Dakota on standard time all year, eliminating the spring and fall clock changes; supporters cited sleep and safety benefits, while members requested technical checks from Legislative Council to ensure the language aligns with federal time‑zone rules.
Ending: HB 1259 as amended received a committee do‑pass recommendation; members agreed to let Legislative Council and the bill carrier coordinate final technical language before floor consideration.
