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HB 1304

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 54-66-01 and 54-66-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an exception to the prohibition against gifts for legislator attendance at an out-of-state educational event.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jim Kasper and 5 co-sponsors

Would allow North Dakota legislators to accept out-of-state educational-event gifts if the event is objective and educational, with penalties for violations; died in committee.

Withdrawn from further consideration
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Bill Summary · HB 1304

HB 1304 (North Dakota) — Summary

Status: Withdrawn from further consideration / died in committee at Sine Die (introduced Nov 13, 2024)

Scope: Amends and reenacts North Dakota Century Code §§ 54‑66‑01 and 54‑66‑03 to create a narrow exception to the statutory prohibition on gifts from lobbyists to public officials, allowing legislators to accept certain out‑of‑state educational event benefits under conditions.

Purpose / Intent

To allow members of the Legislative Assembly to attend out‑of‑state educational events—potentially with travel or other benefits provided by third parties—so long as the event is bona fide, objective, and educational, while preserving anti‑lobbying safeguards and penalty authority for improper gifts.

Key provisions

  • Revises definitions (NDCC § 54‑66‑01), including:
    • Adds a definition of “out‑of‑state educational event” (an event, possibly with a social component, held out of state to provide objective educational material to a legislator).
    • Clarifies and retains the statutory definition of “gift” and categories excepted from the gift prohibition.
  • Adds exception to the lobbyist gift prohibition (NDCC § 54‑66‑03):
    • A legislator may accept a gift related to attendance at an out‑of‑state educational event if the member, in good faith, believes the event is objective and educational (as shown by information provided to the member).
    • A legislator must not engage with unforeseen lobbying activities at the event. If the member identifies lobbying, the member must either (a) leave the event or (b) pay market value to participate in the portion involving lobbying.
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • The North Dakota Ethics Commission may assess civil penalties for violations.
    • If the gift’s value is $500 or more: civil penalty may be up to two times the gift value.
    • If under $500: penalty may be two times the value and may be capped at $1,000.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: members of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly and lobbyists (who provide or facilitate gifts).
  • Secondary: the North Dakota Ethics Commission (responsible for enforcement) and organizations that host or sponsor legislative educational events.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Nov 13, 2024 (Sponsors: House and Senate sponsors listed in the bill text).
  • Read/considered during 2025 session (first reading March 10, 2025; amendment(s) adopted).
  • Ultimately withdrawn / died in House committee at Sine Die adjournment (May 5, 2025), and did not become law.

Potential implications

  • Would have opened a narrow path for out‑of‑state educational travel funded or arranged by outside parties, subject to a good‑faith objective‑education standard and anti‑lobbying restrictions.
  • Enforcement relies on the commission’s investigations and imposed civil penalties; outcomes would depend on how “good faith” and “unforeseen lobbying” were interpreted in practice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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