Bill Seeks To Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent In Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MN — A bill introduced in the Minnesota Senate seeks to make Daylight Saving Time a year-round feature in Minnesota. Mary Kiffmeyer, a Republican from Big Lake, introduced the measure last week. She argues that time changes are harmful to the public.

"Flipping back and forth is hard on our bodies," Kiffmeyer told follow state senators Tuesday. She says it would be better to stay in the same time throughout the year.

"The incidents of heart attacks goes up dramatically during springing forward and falling back," Kiffmeyer said.

"Accidents also increase. Even pets are affected by the one-hour change. About every facet of your life. Asthmatic attacks. These are documented things that effect all ages," she added.

With Kiffmeyer's bill, Minnesotans would see more daylight in the evening, but less in the morning.

Even if the bill passes, Minnesota would have to wait for Congress to change federal law, making it legal for states to change their time.

Last year, United States Senator Marco Rubio introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would end the nation's biannual requirement to change clocks between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time.

Rubio's bill would not impact states that currently do not observe Daylight Saving Time, restrict states’ ability to opt out of it, or change time zones. Those choices would be left up to each state.