HB 1277 North Dakota House · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

A BILL for an Act 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 from criminal prosecution and an affirmative defense for individuals voting on legislation, closure of a matter and issuance of guidance by the ethics commission, and the discretionary referral of an investigation to an outside attorney or investigator by the ethics commission's executive director; to amend and reenact sections 12.1-13-02 and 54-66-01, subsection 2 of section 54-66-04, and sections 54-66-12 and 54-66-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to immunity from criminal prosecution when adhering to legislative rules, definitions related to state government ethics, confidential records related to an alleged violation of an ethics law or rule, and conflicts of interest in the legislative assembly; to repeal sections 54-66-05, 54-66-06, 54-66-07, 54-66-08, 54-66-09, and 54-66-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the complaint process of the ethics commission; and to declare an emergency.

Summary
Relating to immunity from criminal prosecution and an affirmative defense for individuals voting on legislation, closure of a matter and issuance of guidance by the ethics commission, and the discretionary referral of an investigation to an outside attorney or investigator by the ethics commission's executive director; to amend and reenact sections 12.1‑13‑02 and 54‑66‑01, subsection 2 of section 54‑66‑04, and sections 54‑66‑12 and 54‑66‑18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to immunity from criminal prosecution when adhering to legislative rules, definitions related to state government ethics, confidential records related to an alleged violation of an ethics law or rule, and conflicts of interest in the legislative assembly; to repeal sections 54‑66‑05, 54‑66‑06, 54‑66‑07, 54‑66‑08, 54‑66‑09, and 54‑66‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the complaint process of the ethics commission; and to declare an emergency.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Jan 15, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Request return from committee
lower
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Government and Veterans Affairs Committee
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors