By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – The North Dakota House has passed a bill to prevent governments from imposing mask mandates.

The bill’s sponsor is Minot Republican Representative Jeff Hoverson. He told the House he has received a lot of e-mails – virtually all were for his bill and against mask mandates.

Bismarck Republican Representative Jason Dockter argued against the measure, saying having a ban on governments adopting mask mandates takes away local control.

The bill passed on a 50 to 44 vote.