North Dakota Advances Daylight Saving, Firearm Bills

The North Dakota House has passed a bill, HB 1259, to eliminate daylight saving time, opting for permanent standard time, which proponents argue would help alleviate sleep disruptions and improve safety for early morning workers like those in construction. However, opposition exists due to concerns that it would reduce evening daylight, impacting farmers in areas that observe the Mountain Time Zone. Meanwhile, another legislative proposal, HB 1411, seeks to ban red flag laws, which are used to issue extreme risk protection orders preventing individuals deemed dangerous from possessing firearms. Supporters of HB 1411 claim it defends Second Amendment rights, whereas opponents argue it removes a vital tool for preventing violence. Both bills reflect ongoing debates about balancing individual rights and community safety in legislative actions. The daylight saving bill now awaits Senate approval, and if passed, North Dakota would join Arizona and Hawaii in not observing daylight saving time.