BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has signed four bills spurred by confrontations between Dakota Access pipeline protesters and law enforcement.

Burgum signed the bills into law around 3 p.m. Thursday. The bills all take effect immediately.

  • it a misdemeanor for someone to wear a mask or hood while committing a crime.
  • increases the penalties for rioting
  • allows officers to issue a citation with a $250 fine for trespassing, as opposed to filing criminal charges.
  • a new law expands the attorney general’s authority to appoint outside law enforcement officers to assist North Dakota agencies.

Authorities on Thursday cleared a protest camp where opponents of the $3.8 billion pipeline had gathered since last year. Nearly 770 protesters have been arrested since last August.