Rep. Jeff Hoverson | legis.nd.gov
Rep. Jeff Hoverson | legis.nd.gov
A bill by Minot Republican Rep. Jeff Hoverson would prohibit mask mandates in North Dakota
The House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 1323 with a 50-44 vote, advancing it to the Senate.
“Sometimes we need to do things simply because it’s the right thing to do,” Hoverson said, The Epoch Times reported. “Of all the bills I’ve introduced, none have come close to this one in terms of supportive emails and calls.”
The bill, which would limit mask-wearing requirements, states that “a state or local elected official, the state, or a political subdivision of the state may not mandate an individual in this state [to] use a face mask, face shield, or other face covering,”
Hoverson claimed that there are no clinical studies that can substantiate the effectiveness of wearing a mask to reduce the spread of the virus.
“This obsession with masks that are on shaky ground have kept us from using available life-saving treatments … we do have an obligation to correct this and turn from this dangerous path. Our elderly deserve better,” Hoverson added.
Republican Rep. Jason Dockter said he is not supporting the bill.
“I don’t like wearing masks but there comes a point where public health is very important,” Dockter said. “And if people want to decide to have a mandate for a certain organization or certain political subdivisions, they should have that choice but they should also have the choice not to mandate.”
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