A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 1-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to requiring the state to observe daylight saving time year round; to repeal section 40-01-20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to daylight saving time; and to provide a contingent effective date.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Dori Hauck and 5 co-sponsors

ND would adopt year-round time (DST or standard) once federal law permits, ending biannual clock changes; contingent on federal action and neighboring states.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 15 nays 32

Purpose / intent

HB 1259 would change North Dakota law so the State and its political subdivisions observe a single, year‑round standard time (in earlier drafts) or daylight saving time (in later amendments) instead of switching clocks twice a year. The bill also repeals the existing statutory provision addressing daylight saving time (NDCC § 40‑01‑20). The measure is drafted to operate only if federal law permits states to adopt year‑round daylight saving time.

Key provisions

Creates a new section in chapter 1‑08 NDCC requiring the state and all political subdivisions to observe the designated time year‑round (drafts varied between “standard time year round” and “daylight saving time year round”).

Repeals NDCC § 40‑01‑20 (the current daylight saving time provision).

Specifies official time offsets for the two time‑zone portions of the state (central and mountain zone) in some draft versions.

Includes a non‑interference clause: the change may not affect time rules established by U.S. law governing movements of common carriers engaged in interstate commerce or the timing of acts by federal officers/agencies.

Contingent effective date (in engrossed version with Senate amendments): the Act would take effect 30 days after the Attorney General certifies both (1) Congress amended 15 U.S.C. § 260(a) to permit states to observe daylight saving time year‑round, and (2) Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota have commenced year‑round observance of daylight saving time.

Who would be affected

All state agencies and political subdivisions (counties, cities, school districts).

Residents, businesses, schools, public safety and transportation providers, broadcast and scheduling systems, and entities engaged in interstate commerce will need to adjust practices and systems if the bill became effective.

Federal entities and common carriers remain subject to applicable federal rules as noted in the bill.

Procedural / timeline notes

Introduced Nov 12, 2024 (various drafting dates appear in legislative files in Jan–Feb 2025).

The bill was amended during consideration; earlier drafts focused on year‑round standard time, later Senate amendment set year‑round daylight saving time and added a contingent effective date tied to federal law and neighboring states’ actions.

On second reading (reported date in the file), the measure failed to pass with a vote of 15 yeas and 32 nays.

Because federal statute 15 U.S.C. § 260 currently restricts observance of daylight saving time changes, the bill as drafted relies on future Congressional action (and coordinated action by neighboring states) before it could take effect.

Practical implications

If ultimately enacted and made effective, the bill would eliminate the twice‑yearly clock change for North Dakota residents and institutions, reducing seasonal clock‑change disruptions.

The contingent effective language highlights the necessity of federal authorization and regional coordination to avoid cross‑border time mismatches with adjacent states and to address federal interstate regulatory constraints.

Bill

Summary — HB 1259 (North Dakota): Year‑round observance of daylight saving time / standard time

Purpose / intent

Key provisions

Who would be affected

Procedural / timeline notes

Practical implications

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