ND HB1402

Creates an exemption from public disclosure for records identifying applicants for positions including: commissioner of higher education, vice chancellor of the state board of higher education, president, vice president, provost, dean, athletic director, or coach at state board institutions, and school district superintendent.

Requires disclosure of the number of applicants or candidates for covered positions upon request, even though individual applicant identities remain exempt.

Requires notification to remaining applicants when the field is reduced to three or fewer finalists that their records will become public within two weeks unless they withdraw from consideration.

Allows records to remain exempt for up to 30 days if a new applicant is considered after the finalist stage, with a renewed two-week notice requirement before public disclosure.

Permits boards and search committees to hold executive sessions to discuss exempt records or applicant identities under existing open meetings law.