In Your State - North Dakota

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2001 — The Center interviewed ethics agency officials, scoured ethics agency Web sites and combed through pages of state statutes to conduct this survey of state ethics agencies. Below is a snapshot of answers for this state. See how this state ethics agency compares on staff and budget, oversight and enforcement power, among other topics surveyed. Find out what other type of ethics oversight this state has. Go to the methodology for an explanation of how the survey was conducted and what exact questions were asked.

Oversight Summary
Oversight Survey

North Dakota is among four states — including Michigan, South Dakota and Vermont — in which there are no formal ethics laws dealing with ethical conduct of legislator beyond personal financial disclosure and/or campaign finance disclosure requirements.

More Info

What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?
None.

If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?
Yes. North Dakota has the Legislative Council, which is enabled by North Dakota Century Code s.54-35-02.8, to appoint an ethics committee to consider or prepare a legislative code of ethics. The legislative council consists of the majority and minority leaders of the house and of the senate, plus six senators and seven representatives.
http://ranch.state.nd.us/LR/01/cencode/CCT54.pdf

Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?
No. North Dakota has no statute regarding ethics and disclosure beyond sections pertaining candidates' campaign finance and outside interest disclosure, which are both governed by the North Dakota Secretary of State, Elections Division.
http://www.state.nd.us/sec/Elections/Elections.htm

When were the ethics statutes enacted?
N/A

Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?
Same agency where candidacy is filed. See Info Resources.

Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?
North Dakota Secretary of State, Election Division
http://www.state.nd.us/sec/Elections/Elections.htm

Where are lobbying disclosures filed?
North Dakota Secretary of State, Administration and Licensing Division
http://www.state.nd.us/sec/administrativelicencing.htm

Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws' "Ethics Update" 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.