The proposed amendments to the North Dakota Century Code focus on the requirements for candidates and appointees to file a statement of interests with the Secretary of State. Key changes include the stipulation that every candidate for elective office must sign and file this statement, and in presidential election years, candidates can either file the state-required statement or a federal personal disclosure statement. Additionally, individuals who have filed a statement for a primary election are not required to refile for the general election, and write-in candidates must file their statement after being elected. A new provision also states that a candidate's name cannot be included on the ballot if there is an error in their statement that is not corrected by a specified deadline.

Further amendments detail the contents of the statement of interests, which must now include information about financial interests and business dealings of both the candidate and their spouse, particularly those related to state agencies or departments. The Secretary of State and local auditors are tasked with accepting and filing these statements, making them available for public inspection, and publishing them on a dedicated website. The amendments also clarify the preservation period for these statements, ensuring they are kept for the duration of the elected term or for one year if the candidate is not elected or appointed.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 16.1-09-02, 16.1-09-03, 16.1-09-05
Adopted by the House Political Subdivisions Committee: 16.1-09-02, 16.1-09-03, 16.1-09-05
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 16.1-09-02, 16.1-09-03, 16.1-09-05
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Roers: 16.1-09-02, 16.1-09-03, 16.1-09-05