North Dakota lawmakers stop time-change bill

April 7, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Dsc 5380 1 1536x1024 — A clock stands in front of the former train depot in downtown Fargo on March 6, 2025. A bill in the state Legislature could eliminate changing clocks for daylight saving time. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakotans will keep changing their clocks twice a year.

The state Senate on Monday voted 32-15 to defeat House Bill 1259 that would have eliminated seasonal time changes.

Just before the vote to kill the bill, it was amended to put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time.

The original bill called for year-round standard time, which passed the House 55-37.

Supporters of using daylight saving time cited advantages for evening recreation and construction. Some construction projects are not allowed to start before 7 a.m.

There also were concerns in border cities with North Dakota being on a different time than its neighbors.

The bill was amended to take effect only when neighboring states also had dropped the time change.

Sen. Michael Dwyer, R-Bismarck, argued against the bill, saying that if Congress or a neighboring state makes a change, to leave the decision up to future lawmakers.

(Story written by Jeff Beach – North Dakota Monitor)