Bill > HB1046

This bill amends North Dakota's ethics commission advisory opinion process by modifying several key provisions. Under the revised law, the ethics commission can provide written advisory opinions in response to requests from public officials, candidates for elected office, or lobbyists, or through a vote of four out of five commission members. The bill clarifies that requesters can only seek opinions about their own hypothetical facts or prospective conduct, though other individuals or organizations may request an opinion on their behalf with appropriate corroborating evidence. The commission must notify the requester within fourteen days whether they will provide an opinion and must issue the full opinion within ninety days. The bill maintains existing protections that prevent criminal and civil penalties for individuals who act in good faith and whose actions substantially match the advisory opinion. Additionally, the bill preserves the confidentiality of individuals' names in these opinions while requiring that the opinions themselves be published on a publicly accessible website, thus promoting transparency in government ethics guidance.

Justice

Judiciary (H)

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1046.html