February 15, 2013 •
North Dakota Holds Committee Hearing on Ethics Commission
House Bill 1442 would create an oversight body
The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee held hearings on February 14, 2013, regarding the establishment of an ethics commission to investigate alleged acts of wrongdoing by elected officials and lobbyists.
House Bill 1442 would create an ethics commission consisting of nine members. Four members are to be appointed by legislators and the remaining five would be appointed by the governor.
North Dakota is currently one of nine states without an ethics commission.
November 15, 2011 •
North Dakota Special Session Ends
Disaster Relief and Redistricting
North Dakota lawmakers wrapped up a special session on Friday after providing millions of dollars in additional disaster relief and repealing a law requiring the University of North Dakota to keep its Fighting Sioux nickname.
The five-day special session also produced a new redistricting map and items related to the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to defend hydraulic fracturing in the state.
November 2, 2011 •
North Dakota Special Legislative Session Could Be Needed
If measure passes
The North Dakota Attorney General issued an opinion on November 1 suggesting a special legislative session may be necessary to remedy an accidental retroactive effective date of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2. The measure, which would eliminate property taxes, is scheduled to appear on the June 12, 2012 primary election ballot.
State Representative Dan Ruby argued that the intention was to have an effective date of January 1 following the passage of the measure, despite the clear and unambiguous effective date listed in the text of the measure: January 1, 2012.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem noted the possible difficulties for political subdivisions that rely on property taxes but declined to ignore the plain language of the measure. A special session could address the need for replacement revenues if the measure passes.
September 15, 2011 •
North Dakota Governor Calls Special Session
Session to address legislative redistricting and disaster relief
North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple has called a special legislative session to begin on November 7, 2011.
The session is expected to last five days and will address issues including legislative redistricting and disaster relief.
The new law takes effect August 1.
Governor Jack Dalrymple has signed Senate Bill 2073 into law.
The legislation, effective August 1, 2011, requires corporations making independent expenditures relating to ballot measures to file a report including the company’s name, the measure supported or opposed, and the monetary amount of the expenditure made.
This report, known as a “direct expenditure statement,” is due within 48 hours of making such an expenditure.
Photo of Governor Dalrymple courtesy of the North Dakota Office of the Governor website.
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