May 8, 2025: Ethics Commission Begins Rulemaking Process for Travel Rules; Applauds Legislative Assembly for Bolstering Financial Disclosure Requirements
Bismarck N.D. – Today, the North Dakota Ethics Commission begins the rulemaking process for travel disclosure rules for public officials. In 2023, the Commission’s review of financial and travel disclosure requirements revealed North Dakota lagged behind national standards. This year, the state made meaningful progress in strengthening financial disclosure laws.
During the 2025 legislative session, the Commission collaborated with the Office of the Secretary of State and legislators on House Bill 1469. This legislation strengthens financial transparency by requiring public officials to file annual statements of interest with the Secretary of State and ensures the statements are easily accessible online. The Commission commends the leadership of Secretary of State Howe, the bill’s sponsors, and the Legislative Assembly in passing this important reform.
While financial transparency advanced considerably with HB 1469, travel disclosure remains an area in need of continued reform. Recent revelations that Mr. Ray Holmberg, a former state senator, abused taxpayer resources to travel with the intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct have shaken public trust. His actions highlight the need for greater travel transparency. Implementing the travel disclosure rules is one way the Commission can help restore this trust and fulfill its constitutional duty to “strengthen the confidence of the people of North Dakota in their government, and to support open, ethical, and accountable government.”
The travel rules will require public officials to report all travel undertaken in their official capacity, excluding travel paid with the public official’s personal or campaign finances. The rules will also set penalties for noncompliance. For travel that is not required to be reported within a public official’s agency, the rules will require public officials to submit a travel disclosure statement on the Commission’s website. The statements will be publicly accessible and will include information on the purpose, destination, amount paid, and source of funds for the travel.
To review the proposed travel disclosure rules, please visit: Resources | Ethics Commission, North Dakota As the rulemaking process begins, the Commission encourages North Dakotans to provide input at the hearing on July 14, 2025 and through the Commission’s website: https://www.ethicscommission.nd.gov/public-input.