This bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to the enforcement process for the North Dakota ethics commission. Key changes include the introduction of new definitions such as "alleged violation," "enforcement action," "ethical violation," and "respondent," which clarify the terminology used in the context of ethics complaints. The bill also modifies the process for handling complaints, emphasizing that any enforcement action is to be treated as a closed meeting until a final commission order is issued and affirmed by a court. Additionally, the commission is granted the authority to adopt rules of procedure for enforcement actions.

Furthermore, the bill repeals sections 54-66-06, 54-66-07, and 54-66-09, which pertained to the handling of complaints filed with the ethics commission. This repeal streamlines the process and focuses on the enforcement actions and the commission's authority to investigate and address ethical violations. The amendments aim to enhance the clarity and efficiency of the ethics enforcement process in North Dakota, ensuring that the commission can effectively address allegations of misconduct while maintaining confidentiality where appropriate.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-66-01, 54-66-04, 54-66-05, 54-66-08, 54-66-10, 54-66-12