North Dakota Law Would Make it Legal to Run Over Protestors

"Republican lawmakers in the state introduced a bill last week in the legislature that would not hold motorists liable for negligently running over someone obstructing a roadway," reports Justin Boggs. "The bill was introduced in response to a year of protests over a proposed pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation."

Nick Smith broke the news for the Bismark Tribune, reporting that Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, wrote the legislation. The article quotes Kempenich's own words to describe the purpose of the bill: "It’s shifting the burden of proof from the motor vehicle driver to the pedestrian."

Smith provides additional details about the role of the North Dakota Highway Patrol in writing and enforcing the potential law. Boggs notes that the North Dakota House Transportation Committee will hear the bill later this week.