July 29, 2021 •
North Dakota Adopts Exception to Gift Ban
The North Dakota Ethics Commission unanimously approved an exception to the gift ban for food or beverage with a value of $10 or less, excluding gratuity, purchased for a public official in conjunction with an informal social and educational event. […]
The North Dakota Ethics Commission unanimously approved an exception to the gift ban for food or beverage with a value of $10 or less, excluding gratuity, purchased for a public official in conjunction with an informal social and educational event.
The purchased food and beverage must be consumed during the event and a state resident must be present but is not required to be the purchaser of the food or beverage.
This new exception is effective immediately.
May 26, 2021 •
North Dakota Ethics Commission Proposes Limited Exception to Gift Ban
The North Dakota Ethics Commission has proposed a limited food and drink exception to the rules banning gifts between lobbyists and public officials implemented last year. The proposed rule change adds an exception for food or beverage with a value […]
The North Dakota Ethics Commission has proposed a limited food and drink exception to the rules banning gifts between lobbyists and public officials implemented last year.
The proposed rule change adds an exception for food or beverage with a value of $10 or less, excluding gratuity, purchased for a public official in conjunction with an informal social and educational event.
The purchased food and beverage must be consumed during the event and a state resident must be present, but is not required to be the purchaser of the food or beverage.
The revised rules also define informal social and educational event as any meeting, session, or interaction occurring within the state between a public official and a state resident, including but not limited to a registered lobbyist who is a state resident, for the purpose of informing or educating the public official on a matter of interest or concern.
The proposed rule changes are open to public comment through July 9.
May 5, 2020 •
North Dakota Ethics Commission Website Is Live
The North Dakota Ethics Commission website is now live. The website, ethicscommission.nd.gov, includes board information, meeting minutes, and complaint forms. At a recent meeting, the five-member board also discussed reconciling perceived conflicts in constitutional and statutory language related to commission […]
The North Dakota Ethics Commission website is now live.
The website, ethicscommission.nd.gov, includes board information, meeting minutes, and complaint forms.
At a recent meeting, the five-member board also discussed reconciling perceived conflicts in constitutional and statutory language related to commission procedures; additionally, they reviewed proposed 2021 ethics legislation covering legislators and executive branch officials.
The next meeting is scheduled in an online format for May 13.
February 12, 2020 •
Executive Director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission Working on Ethics Rules
David Thiele became the Executive Director of the newly formed Ethics Commission at the beginning of the year and chaired the first meeting of the commission January 22. Thiele, a Bismarck resident and former judge advocate for the U.S. Army, […]
David Thiele became the Executive Director of the newly formed Ethics Commission at the beginning of the year and chaired the first meeting of the commission January 22.
Thiele, a Bismarck resident and former judge advocate for the U.S. Army, said his background as an attorney and ethics counselor for the National Guard will help him establish ethics rules.
State law gives the commission nine months from its creation (April 2020) to take preliminary steps to create the new rules.
Thiele believes he can meet this goal, but noted the Commission will give members of the public a chance to comment and could ask for an extension, if necessary.
August 12, 2019 •
Members Selected for North Dakota Ethics Commission
Gov. Doug Burgum and Senate leadership selected Ron Goodman, Ward Koeser, Cynthia Lindquist, Paul Richard, and David Anderson to North Dakota’s new state government ethics commission. The candidates verbally accepted their appointments after the selection meeting. Their terms will begin […]
Gov. Doug Burgum and Senate leadership selected Ron Goodman, Ward Koeser, Cynthia Lindquist, Paul Richard, and David Anderson to North Dakota’s new state government ethics commission.
The candidates verbally accepted their appointments after the selection meeting.
Their terms will begin on September 1, with Goodman and Lindquist serving four-year terms.
Anderson will serve a three-year term, and Koeser and Richard will serve two-year terms.
The selection committee chose Goodman as chairman to convene the commission’s first meeting in September.
June 28, 2019 •
North Dakota Closer to Forming Ethics Commission
The Ethics Commission Selection Committee narrowed down the field of candidates from 24 to 17. However, the July 1 deadline is being pushed back. Gov. Doug Burgum stated there will be two more meetings in July to reach the final […]
The Ethics Commission Selection Committee narrowed down the field of candidates from 24 to 17.
However, the July 1 deadline is being pushed back.
Gov. Doug Burgum stated there will be two more meetings in July to reach the final five candidates.
In order to be appointed to the ethics commission, a candidate must be unanimously approved by the governor, senate majority leader, and senate minority leader.
May 20, 2019 •
North Dakota Officials Prepare to Appoint Ethics Commission Members
Top North Dakota officials are working towards forming a new panel to oversee ethical standards in state government as a result of last year’s passage of Measure 1. Gov. Doug Burgum’s office is accepting applications for the new ethics commission […]
Top North Dakota officials are working towards forming a new panel to oversee ethical standards in state government as a result of last year’s passage of Measure 1.
Gov. Doug Burgum’s office is accepting applications for the new ethics commission through May 24 and hopes to have members selected by July 1.
The five commissioners will be chosen by consensus agreement of the governor and the Senate’s majority and minority leaders.
The state constitution bars certain people from serving on the commission including lobbyists, political party officials, and those who hold statewide elected or appointed office.
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