All Roll Calls
Yes: 205 • No: 71
North DakotaSB 20042025 Regular SessionSenate
AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the ethics commission; to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-03 and two new sections to chapter 54-66 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to immunity and a defense for individuals voting on legislation, closure of a matter of the ethics commission, rules for complaint management time standards, and an ethics commission annual report; to amend and reenact sections 12.1-13-02, 54-66-01, 54-66-04, 54-66-05, 54-66-06, and 54-66-07, subsection 2 of section 54-66-08, and sections 54-66-09, 54-66-10, 54-66-12, and 54-66-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to immunity from criminal prosecution, definitions, ethics commission meetings, complaints, an informal resolution process, law enforcement referrals, findings, appeals, confidential information related to a complaint, and conflicts of interest; and to declare an emergency.
Sponsored By: Senate Appropriations
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Funding for North Dakota ethics oversight
The law provides about $1.37 million for the North Dakota Ethics Commission from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. This supports three full-time positions. One-time funding totals $52,348: $50,000 for a case-management system and $2,348 for furniture. The Commission must report its use of that money to the 70th Legislative Assembly. Transfers from the state's new and vacant position pool are allowed only as authorized by House Bill 1015.
Lawmakers must publicly disclose bill conflicts
Each North Dakota legislative assembly must adopt rules requiring lawmakers to disclose potential conflicts involving bills. The requirement covers bills in which a lawmaker has a unique and individual interest. Each disclosure must be recorded and easy for the public to find. Separate Commission disclosure rules need not apply when legislative rules are at least as strict.
Legal protections for North Dakota lawmakers
North Dakota lawmakers gain protection from state criminal prosecution for offenses arising from committee, Senate, or House votes. They must follow legislative rules requiring disclosure of personal or private interests. This protection also covers an organization for which the lawmaker acts as an agent. Separately, lawmakers can defend against vote-related charges by showing good-faith reliance on informal advice from Ethics Commission staff.
Consent allows sharing ethics complaint information
Ethics complaint information generally remains confidential, subject to legal and investigation exceptions. The Commission and the person facing a complaint can disclose otherwise confidential information when that person agrees. This expands access to information but means shared material no longer stays private.
Criminal referrals can pause ethics reviews
The Ethics Commission can coordinate with law enforcement when it believes a complaint alleges a crime; coordination is no longer required. If an agency accepts a referral for prosecution, the Commission must wait for notice that criminal proceedings are complete. If the agency declines or takes no action within 60 days, the Commission can resume reviewing the complaint.
More ways to resolve ethics complaints
People facing ethics complaints can request dismissal at any time by following the Commission's procedure. If informal resolution fails, the Commission can work with the person facing the complaint to settle and close it. After an investigation, the executive director must recommend closing the matter or issuing an alleged violation. The Commission can issue an alleged violation, order more investigation, or close the matter. It must also adopt timely complaint-handling rules, but the law sets no deadline for an individual case.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Senate Appropriations
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/2/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 44 nays 2, Emergency clause carried
Yes: 44 • No: 2
House vote • 5/2/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 71 nays 19
Yes: 71 • No: 19
House vote • 4/14/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 65 nays 29
Yes: 65 • No: 29
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 25 nays 21
Yes: 25 • No: 21
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 05/19
6/11/2025HouseSigned by Governor, but item veto 05/19
5/17/2025SenateSent to Governor
5/2/2025SenateSigned by President
5/2/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseEmergency clause carried
5/2/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 71 nays 19
5/2/2025HouseConference committee report adopted
5/2/2025HouseReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
5/2/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 44 nays 2, Emergency clause carried
5/2/2025SenateConference committee report adopted
5/2/2025SenateReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
5/2/2025SenateConference committee appointed Louser Martinson Hanson
4/24/2025HouseAppoint Sen. Mathern to replace Sen. Cleary on conference committee
4/17/2025SenateConference committee appointed Dever Cleary Davison
4/16/2025SenateRefused to concur
4/16/2025SenateReturned to Senate (12)
4/14/2025SenateEmergency clause carried
4/14/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 65 nays 29
4/14/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
4/14/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 19 3 1
4/11/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:00
3/18/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Appropriations Committee
2/18/2025HouseReceived from Senate
2/12/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 25 nays 21
2/11/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Conference Committee Amendments
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations Committee
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Committee
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Mathern
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