Bill increases penalties for drug dealers in overdose deaths
JAMES MacPHERSON, Associated Press
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota law enforcement agencies urged state lawmakers on Wednesday to support a bill that would enact harsher penalties for drug traffickers if a death results from the sale of their drugs.
Police chiefs and law enforcement associations told the Senate Judiciary Committee that stiffer penalties are needed, especially as such fatalities mount across the state.
“Currently, law enforcement in North Dakota has no ability to hold these individuals responsible in a meaningful way,” Fargo police Chief David Zibolski said.
The bill would make it a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison for someone convicted of trafficking drugs that cause a death. Rep. Kim Koppelman, a West Fargo Republican who is the bill’s main sponsor, said the current penalty is a lower felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison.
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North Dakotaâs House of Representatives in a historic move Thursday expelled a Republican member embroiled in sexual harassment allegations made by female legislative staff, interns and fellow representatives.
The House voted 69-25 to expel Rep. Luke Simons, R-Dickinson, after a four-hour floor session, reaching the necessary threshold of a two-thirds majority vote.
The expulsion is believed to be the first in state history. Even the format was unusual the resolution was introduced and debated in a House committee of the whole, a procedure not seen since 1967.
Rep. Emily O Brien, R-Grand Forks, one of the woman who reported being made uncomfortable by Simons, during debate said expulsion would show Legislative Council: You matter. Legislative interns: You matter. Staff: You matter. And to others that have been victims: You matter. And to my legislative colleagues, you matter, too.
Women gain record power in state legislatures By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline.org
Published: February 28, 2021, 1:45pm
Share: Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, D- North Las Vegas, introduces then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris at a town hall meeting at Canyon Springs High School on March 1, 2019, in North Las Vegas, Nevada. A record number of women have taken leadership roles in state legislatures, meaning they can not only add to the conversation, but in many cases control which conversation is being had. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images/TNS)
Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, a Democrat and chief majority whip, successfully shepherded legislation in 2020 requiring pharmacists to honor 12-month doctors’ prescriptions for birth control pills, over the objections of some male lawmakers.