ND HB1043

Redefines "complainant" to require individuals filing ethics complaints to be North Dakota residents and provide their name, address, and telephone number for the commission to investigate.

Allows the ethics commission to summarily dismiss complaints that fall outside its jurisdiction, are insufficient to identify a violation, or fail to comply with adopted rules.

Requires the commission to provide accused individuals with written complaints or summaries within twenty calendar days and allows accused individuals twenty calendar days to respond in writing.

Creates new authority for the ethics commission to delegate duties to its executive director through publicly adopted rules, and to provide written advisory opinions to public officials, candidates, and lobbyists on ethics matters within fourteen to ninety days of request.

Establishes that individuals acting in good faith according to an advisory opinion cannot be criminally or civilly penalized if the material facts substantially match those presented in the opinion.