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HF 1944

Recognition of federal standard time year-round beginning in 2025 and expiring upon enactment of a federal law authorizing states to recognize advanced standard time year-round provided.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Esther Agbaje and 13 co-sponsors

Minnesota adopts permanent federal standard time (year-round winter time) starting 2025, reverting if Congress authorizes permanent daylight saving time instead.

Author added Johnson, P.
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Bill Summary · HF 1944

Legislative bill overview

HF 1944 would establish federal standard time (winter time) as Minnesota's year-round time standard beginning in 2025, eliminating daylight saving time transitions. This change would persist until Congress passes federal legislation allowing states to adopt permanent daylight saving time instead.

Why is this important

Time zone policy affects sleep schedules, school/work safety, commerce, and public health. Minnesota currently switches between central standard and daylight saving time twice yearly. This bill represents a state-level choice about which permanent time to adopt, with the caveat that it could be reversed if federal law changes to permit permanent daylight saving time.

Potential points of contention

  • Health and safety trade-offs: Year-round standard time means darker winter mornings (affecting school commutes and alertness) but lighter winter evenings; research on optimal timing for public health is mixed
  • Economic and business coordination: Staying on standard time while neighboring states or the federal default uses daylight saving time creates scheduling complications for cross-border commerce and logistics
  • Federal authority uncertainty: The bill's effectiveness depends on Congress passing specific enabling legislation for permanent daylight saving time; if Congress doesn't act, Minnesota remains locked into standard time indefinitely
  • Reverting if federal law changes: The sunset provision creates potential instability if federal law eventually permits permanent daylight saving time, requiring another state legislative action to switch

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

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