Burgum ending some federal pandemic unemployment programs next month kvrr.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kvrr.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
(Bismarck, ND) Governor Doug Burgum Friday signed legislation that creates common-sense liability protections to shield health care providers, businesses and others from frivolous claims related to exposure to COVID-19.
Those joining Burgum for the signing of House Bill 1175 included the bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Michael Howe, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jerry Klein, and Arik Spencer, president and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber.
Burgum noted that North Dakota health care providers and businesses did their best to protect their patients, customers and team members through extremely challenging conditions and ever-changing rules and recommendations during the pandemic.
North Dakota regulators want greater authority to go after corporate leaders who flagrantly disregard spills and other environmental problems in the oil patch.
The proposal was among several significant bills related to energy and the environment heard during the first week of the legislative session. Lawmakers also are considering measures tied to storing natural gas underground and cleaning up contaminated property.
Senate Bill 2064 would allow the state to penalize corporate officers deemed responsible for oil- and gas-related violations.
Two serious environmental problems recently occurred in the oil fields, prompting the legislation after the state spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to clean up the sites, State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during a hearing Thursday. The state tried to get the companies to act, but they shirked their responsibilities, he said.