Travel Disclosure Quick Guide
QUICK GUIDE TO TRAVEL DISCLOSURE

The Ethics Commission (“Commission”) established new travel disclosure rules effective July 1, 2026, applicable to public officials. These rules are designed to enhance transparency regarding third-party-funded travel not reported elsewhere, such as in the state's enterprise resource planning system (a/k/a Peoplesoft) or the Legislative Assembly’s Report on Out-of-State Meeting form. 

The Commission recognizes some boards and commissions do not use or have access to Peoplesoft. For those boards and commissions, the policy-monitored travel exception does NOT apply because the information is not reported to a central location.

Travel Disclosure Form

The travel disclosure rules apply to elected or appointed officials in the executive and legislative branches, including members of the governor’s cabinet and employees of the legislative branch. They also apply to members of the Ethics Commission.

Travel taken in relation to the public official’s status as a public official. Must be disclosed to the Ethics Commission by public officials.

Includes 

  • Travel within or outside the State of North Dakota by public officials or their immediate family members (i.e. a parent; sibling; child by blood, adoption, or marriage; spouse; grandparent; or grandchild);
  • Travel paid by a private third party (e.g., an individual, private organizations, nonprofits, associations, or businesses); and
  • Travel paid with federal, state, tribal, or local public funds.

Excludes

  • Travel not taken in relation to the public official’s status as a public official;
  • Travel paid with a public official’s personal or campaign finances;
  • Policy-monitored travel (i.e. travel expenses reported within the State of North Dakota’s enterprise resource planning system (a/k/a Peoplesoft) or on the Legislative Assembly’s Report on Out-of-State Meeting form);
  • Travel that is confidential as defined in N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1; and
  • Travel to actively support or oppose a candidate or political party.

 

Public officials must submit a travel disclosure statement within fifteen (15) days following the conclusion of third-party-funded travel.

To view the Travel Disclosure Rules, visit Adopted Travel Disclosure Rules 4.24.2026.docx. 

If you have questions regarding a specific trip, please consider requesting an advisory opinion. Advisory opinion information is available on our website by visiting ADVISORY OPINIONS.

Public officials must submit travel disclosure statements using the Commission’s webform available here: Travel Disclosure | Ethics Commission, North Dakota. 

For issues accessing or submitting the form or to request the form in an alternate format, please contact the Commission’s office at 701-328-5325 or ethicscommission@nd.gov. We will take reasonable steps to accommodate your needs.

Key Terms and Definitions 

Traveler Information

  • Official’s Name – name of the public official submitting the form;
  • Official’s Position with the State – the title of the public official’s position
  • Destination(s) Visited – the city, state and/or city, country the public official and/or immediate family member(s) visited
  • Travel Start Date – day the travel initiated
  • Travel End Date – day the travel ended
  • Number of accompanying family members (if any) – Note this is only the number and not the names of family members, to ensure and respect those individuals’ privacy. Additionally, if the public official did not accompany the immediate family member(s), the official should note under "Purpose of the Travel" that only the immediate family member(s) attended.
  • Purpose of the Travel – short description of why the travel occurred

Funding Information

  • Source(s) of Funds Used to Finance All Travel-Related Expenses – The individual/entity ultimately paying for the travel, even if the filer is waiting for reimbursement. If multiple individuals/entities, filer should list all sources. 
  • Estimate or Actual Amount Spent for Expenses (including lodging and meals) – Actual amount should be listed, if known. However, estimate suffices as in some instances it may be difficult to determine the actual amount
  • Expenses Paid Categories (check all that apply) – Check box list, filer will check all expenses paid as third-party-funded travel expenses. Including air transportation, ground transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, and other activities.
  • Public Access and Retention – Completed forms will be accessible to the public on the Commission’s website and retained for three years.
  • Sanctions – Late, unfiled, and knowingly false submissions may incur nonmonetary and/or monetary sanctions.

Travel Disclosure Form Workflow

Did the public official or an immediate family member of the public official travel? 

Yes = Proceed to Step 2.

No = No action required. 

To determine if your travel applies, ask yourself the following questions. 

  1. Was the travel unrelated to the public official’s status as a public official? 
  • Yes = Travel is not reportable to the Ethics Commission.
  • No = Proceed to Question 2.
  1. Was the travel paid with the public official’s personal or campaign finances? 
  • Yes = Travel is not reportable to the Ethics Commission.
  • No = Proceed to Question 3.
  1. Were all travel expenses already reported within Peoplesoft or on the Legislative Assembly’s Report on Out-of-State Meeting form? 
  • Yes = Travel is not reportable to the Ethics Commission.
  • No = Proceed to Question 4.
  1. Was the travel confidential under state law? 
  • Yes = Travel is not reportable to the Ethics Commission.
  • No = Proceed to Question 5.
  1. Was the travel undertaken to actively support or oppose a candidate or political party? 
  • Yes = Travel is not reportable to the Ethics Commission.
  • No = Proceed to Step 3.

Travel Information

  • What cities and states, and/or cities and countries, were visited?
  • What day did the travel begin?
  • What day did the travel end?
  • What was the purpose of the travel?
  • Did immediate family members travel? If so, does an exception to the travel disclosure rules apply to the immediate family members’ travel?

Funding Information

  • Who paid or is expected to pay all travel-related expenses?
  • What was the actual amount spent on the travel? If the actual amount is unknown, what is the estimated amount?
  • Which expenses were paid by a third party? 
  • Air transportation? 
  • Ground transportation? 
  • Lodging? 
  • Meals? 
  • Entertainment? 
  • Other activities?

  • The public official or authorized representative completes the form and certifies it is true and complete.
  • The public official or authorized representative submits the form.

Complete your travel disclosure form here. 

Additional notes: 

  • Commission staff reviews, processes, and publishes the Travel Disclosure Form on the Commission’s website.
  • Completed Travel Disclosure Forms remain available on the Commission's website for three (3) years.
  • Commission publication of the Travel Disclosure Form on the Commission’s website does not constitute approval by the Commission of the travel itself.