Democratic lawmaker warns ethics bill has 'gaping holes' as North Dakota Senate passes Measure 1

Democratic lawmaker warns ethics bill has 'gaping holes' as North Dakota Senate passes Measure 1 implementation


The North Dakota Senate approved a bill implementing the state's new ethics rules Wednesday that a Democratic lawmaker said includes "gaping holes" and could attract a court challenge.

The Senate's 39-8 vote largely fell along party lines, with Republicans backing the legislation introduced by their majority leaders. It's one of two bills addressing last year's passage of Measure 1 that are still alive in the waning days of the legislative session.

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, a member of the special committee that hashed out the bill, said the legislation includes what he described as financial transparency loopholes, constrains the definition of "lobbyist" and limits what it means to influence state government action. The group that backed Measure 1, North Dakotans for Public Integrity, raised similar concerns in an email issued Tuesday evening.

"You can drive a truck through this," Mathern said.

Though Mathern said somebody could challenge the bill in court on the grounds that it doesn't meet constitutional requirements, he said he hasn't been told directly that that's on the horizon. North Dakotans for Public Integrity President Dina Butcher said she has constitutional concerns about the bill but she's "just waiting to see what the final act is."

Read more: https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/democratic-lawmaker-warns-ethics-bill-has-gaping-holes-as-north/article_e09aa036-fb22-5a4c-a464-826a2d2c4976.html