Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) presented legislation to end spring/fall time flipping in the Senate’s State Government Committee. The bill specifically aims to end the transition in an effort to improve public health and safety in Minnesota.   

“Flipping back and forth between Daylight Savings Time and standard time has a demonstrated negative impact on Minnesota with a statistical rise in car crashes, days missed from work, heart attacks and workplace injuries immediately surrounding the change,” said Senator Kiffmeyer. “These issues emerge as a result of the sleep disruption and a chaotic transition.” 

Changing the clocks ahead an hour can take a toll on your heart. A recent study has shown that daylight savings time transitions may be tied with an increased risk of stroke, with strokes caused by blood clots to the brain occurring 8% more often during the first two days after a daylight savings time transition.

Time transitions have also shown to wreak havoc on diet, appetite, and sleep patterns for large portions of the population.

This session, Senator Kiffmeyer has also introduced legislation to move Minnesota to advanced standard time, also known as ‘permanent’ Daylight Savings Time. Unfortunately, that legislation cannot advance as it is prohibited by federal law. 

Federal lawmakers are moving to change this restriction with Senator Marco Rubio introducing his Sunshine Protection Act of 2019. 

Senator Kiffmeyer’s bill includes compliance with any future “Daylight Savings Time” federal change.