Bismarck N.D. - To provide transparent information about its work, on August 29, 2025, the Commission released its 2025 Annual Report. The report details the history of the Commission, the individuals who serve on the Commission, and provides an overview of the Commission’s appropriations as well as legislation which affected the Commission over the past four legislative sessions. While the report focuses on Commission operations during the 2025 fiscal year—July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025—the report also includes additional information such as complaint trends, advisory opinion data, and training and outreach efforts since the appointment of Commissioners in 2019.
The Commission hopes this Report will serve to inform North Dakotans about the Commission’s work and to educate on the constitutional duties of the Commission put in place by the voters with the adoption of Article XIV. This Report highlights several operational metrics of the Commission’s work as of June 30, 2025:
The Commission summarily dismissed complaints in an average of 29 days for lack of jurisdiction. However, it took an average of 68 days to complete the initial review process and summarily dismiss a complaint when the Commission needed corroborating information to summarily dismiss.
The Commission issued advisory opinions in an average of 83 days, while they are required to be issued within 90 days. For one opinion, 25-01, the Commission and the requester agreed to an extended timeline due to the 2025 legislative session. Without including this opinion, the average time was 72 days.
From January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, Commission staff conducted 49 educational and/or training presentations, which were attended by an estimated 1,100 North Dakota residents.
The Commission has informally resolved 2 complaints, taking an average of 98 days to reach resolution without formal investigation.
On May 27, 2025, the Commission determined a public official engaged in three ethical violations related to his ownership in entities that lease space to the State of North Dakota and his service in the Legislative Assembly. This finding was the result of 8 complaints being filed.
As of June 30, 2025, the Commission had 52 pending complaints.
The Commission is dedicated to continuing its work to meet its mission—to strengthen the confidence of the citizens of North Dakota in their government by ensuring and promoting transparency and accountability. This Report is a tool for the Commission to promote transparency and for North Dakotans to have accurate, data-based information about the Commission’s work.
The Commission’s Annual Report can be accessed on its website: www.ethicscommission.nd.gov/annual-reports