ND HB1521

Establishes the North Dakota Ethics Commission with authority to investigate complaints of ethics violations, accept gifts from lobbyists, lobbying disclosures, and campaign finance violations under Article XIV of the Constitution.

Requires disclosure of "ultimate and true source" of funds over $200 for campaign contributions, independent expenditures, lobbying expenditures, and efforts to influence state government action.

Prohibits lobbyists from giving gifts to public officials and public officials from accepting gifts from lobbyists, with civil penalties of two times the gift value ($500+ gifts) or up to $1,000 ($500 or less gifts).

Amends administrative rulemaking procedures in Chapter 28-32 to apply to the Ethics Commission, including requirements for regulatory analysis, emergency rules, notice, public hearings, and judicial review standards.

Appropriates $517,155 for Ethics Commission operations with two full-time equivalent positions for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019; most provisions effective January 5, 2021.