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HB 1227

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 1-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the adoption of central standard time; and to repeal section 40-01-20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to daylight saving time.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Claire Cory and 7 co-sponsors

Would make North Dakota keep standard time year-round by codifying GMT-5 (Central) and GMT-6 (Mountain) as official time, with a federal opt-out and DOT coordination.

Withdrawn from further consideration
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1227

HB 1227 — North Dakota: Adopt Central Standard Time; Repeal Daylight Saving Time (NDCC)

Status: Withdrawn from further consideration
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Primary sponsors (House): Reps. Toman, Dockter, D. Johnston, Koppelman, Porter
Sponsors (Senate): Sens. Cory, Paulson, Schaible

Purpose / Intent

The bill would change North Dakota’s statutory time rules by (1) creating a new section in chapter 1‑08 of the North Dakota Century Code to establish official “standard time” offsets for the state’s time zones, and (2) repealing the existing statute (section 40‑01‑20 NDCC) that relates to daylight saving time (DST). The intent is to adopt a permanent standard time regime and remove the statutory basis for observing daylight saving time.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new section in NDCC chapter 1‑08 specifying:
    • Central time portions of the state: Greenwich Mean Time minus five hours (GMT‑5) as the official standard time.
    • Mountain time portions of the state: Greenwich Mean Time minus six hours (GMT‑6) as the official standard time.
    • States the state is exempt from the establishment of daylight saving time under 15 U.S.C. § 260(a) (the Uniform Time Act provision allowing states to opt out of DST).
    • Provides that the section may not affect federal time rules governing interstate common carriers or the timing of acts by U.S. officers or agencies.
  • Repeals NDCC § 40‑01‑20 (the existing statutory provision relating to daylight saving time).

Who would be affected

  • All North Dakota residents, businesses, schools, health-care providers, and state/local government operations that use official state time.
  • Cross-border travelers and businesses dealing with neighboring states or Canadian provinces whose DST practices or time zone boundaries differ.
  • Transportation, broadcasting, scheduling, and IT systems that rely on official timekeeping.

Practical and legal implications

  • The bill would make standard time the year‑round legal time in the state (i.e., eliminate switching to DST) by invoking the state opt‑out under federal law.
  • Changing which standard time applies to specific localities or moving jurisdictional time‑zone boundaries is under federal purview; the U.S. Department of Transportation must approve time‑zone boundary changes. This bill sets state policy but could require coordination/approval at the federal level to alter practical time‑zone boundaries.
  • The statute explicitly preserves federal time rules for interstate carriers and timing of federally required acts.
  • Implementation would require updates to state statutes, administrative guidance, and broad communications to residents, employers, and software/IT vendors; there could be transitional costs and coordination burdens.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Nov 12, 2024. The bill advanced through readings and committee consideration but was ultimately placed “indefinitely postponed / withdrawn from further consideration” (action recorded in 2025). As withdrawn, it did not become law.
  • If reintroduced or revived, practical effects would depend on federal approvals (DOT) and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions to minimize disruption.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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