North Dakota’s border towns are facing potential chaos if House Bill 1259 is approved by the state Senate and Gov. Kelly Armstrong. The bill aims to keep the state on standard time year-round, eliminating daylight saving time. Lawmakers behind the bill are from areas that are not heavily reliant on out-of-state workers, failing to consider the impact on border communities like Wahpeton-Breckenridge, Fargo-Moorhead, and Grand Forks-East Grand Forks.
This change would disrupt work schedules, create confusion for businesses, and impact families who rely on crossing state borders for daily routines. Advocates argue that it would improve sleep habits and provide more daylight for morning workers, but overlook the challenges it poses for cross-border workers and businesses.
While there are potential health benefits to ending daylight saving time, the change should be implemented nationwide, rather than state-by-state, to avoid unnecessary disruptions. North Dakota is already facing a workforce shortage, and haphazardly enacting this bill could further hinder the state’s economy. The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Chamber has voiced concerns about the potential negative effects on border communities and is preparing testimony against the bill before the Senate committee.
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