ND Gov. Burgum Signs Pipeline Tampering Bill

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has signed legislation that increases the punishment for people who tamper with pipelines and groups that help them.

Burgum announced Wednesday night he signed the bill that more clearly defines that it’s illegal to tamper with “critical infrastructure.”

The bill passed both chambers of the GOP-led Legislature by a wide margin.

The legislation says someone who intentionally tampers with infrastructure faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also increases those fines up to $100,000 for an organization found to have conspired with multiple individuals.

Republican Sen. Janne Myrdal of Edinburg sponsored the bill that was inspired by environmental activists who turned off an oil pipeline valve in her northeast North Dakota district in 2016.