House State Affairs advances HB 32 to bar government mask mandates; cities, health groups clash in testimony

The House State Affairs Committee voted to send House Bill 32 to the full House with a due-pass recommendation after more than an hour of debate and nearly two dozen public witnesses both for and against the measure.

The committee approved the motion to send HB 32 to the floor on a roll-call vote, 13–2. Representative Zachary Scott moved the motion; the roll call recorded multiple 'yes' votes and two 'no' votes (Representatives Achilles and Daugherty). The motion passed and the committee adjourned.

Sponsor's description and exemptions Representative Rob Bieswanger, District 8, told the committee "House Bill 32 prohibits any government official from requiring people to wear a mask for the purpose of preventing virus transmission." He said the bill includes narrow exemptions for workers who must wear masks for job safety or vocational reasons, such as surgeons and welders, and that the legislation "does not cost the taxpayers a single penny." He told the panel that the bill is intended to prevent fines and jail time that were imposed during prior mask enforcement efforts and to return decisionmaking…