North Dakota Senate approves ban on state-issued mask mandates
Elected officials in a few other states, including Arizona and Idaho, have considered banning mask mandates in some form, but North Dakota lawmakers could become the first to pass a sweeping prohibition on state-ordered mask requirements.
Written By: Jeremy Turley
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Demonstrators gathered outside the North Dakota Capitol in support of a proposal to ban mask mandates on Monday, April 5, 2021. (Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service)
BISMARCK — The North Dakota Senate has endorsed a bill that would bar state officials from issuing mask mandates in the future.
The upper chamber voted 30-17 on Wednesday, April 7, to send House Bill 1323 back to the House of Representatives, which narrowly passed a more far-reaching version of the legislation in February. If the House concurs with the Senate's amendments, the bill will go to Gov. Doug Burgum's desk. A spokesman for Burgum declined to comment on the proposal.