By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public) – The North Dakota Senate has passed an amended bill, that prohibits any state government official from issuing a mask mandate.

The original bill would have also prohibited local governments and businesses from issuing mask mandates.

The amendment’s author – Beulah Republican Senator Jessica Bell – said it was a compromise between freedom and safety.

Williston Republican Senator Brad Bekkedahl caught the COVID-19 virus after Christmas, and was not in Bismarck for the first week of the Legislative Session. He told the Senate he believes this will not be the last time the country would be dealing with this kind of health situation.

The bill, as amended, passed on a 30 to 17 vote. It now goes back to the House, to see if it agrees with the Senates changes.

The bill is HB 1323.