(BISMARCK, ND) – Secretary of State Michael Howe says a constitutional initiative has been submitted to his office.
The initiative is related to transparency, ethics and public accountability. It calls for all records of communications between members of the legislative assembly relating to legislative business to be considered public record and be subject to public inspection. It would also make legislators disclose ‘the existence of potential conflicts of interests’ arising in a bill in which legislators may have a direct, unique, substantial or individual interest. Any member doing so must declare the conflict and be excused from voting on the issue – unless a waiver is granted for meeting quorum.
Legislators, under the initiative, would not receive an increase in salary or per diem during the current term if enacted, and legislators would not be eligible for healthcare insurance or other employment-related benefits as the position is part-time employment.
The final point is that no former legislator can be a lobbyist on state legislative matters for a period of one full four-year term after leaving office.
Howe and Attorney General Drew Wrigley have five to seven business days to draft a petition title.
