Burgum vetoes bill barring mask mandates by state officials

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has vetoed a bill that would prohibit state officials from mandating face coverings. In his veto message, Burgum says North Dakota law assigns the governor the responsibility to “minimize or avert the adverse effects of a disaster or emergency.”

Burgum says North Dakota’s mask requirement was the shortest in the country lasting 65 days.  The governor goes on to say it was implemented only after officials in North Dakota’s largest cities had already enacted local measures and the overwhelming majority of health care leaders were requesting a statewide requirement.

The bill received broad support in both legislative chambers. Bill sponsors have argued there was no proof that masks work to slow the spread of the coronavirus and they questioned the government’s role in mandating them. It wasn’t clear Wednesday if it could get the two-thirds majority needed for a veto override.