Petition for ballot measure on lawmaker salaries, public records withdrawn

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A petition for a ballot measure to enshrine greater transparency for lawmaker records in the North Dakota Constitution was withdrawn, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The petition, originally proposed Friday, sought to make all lawmaker communications regarding legislative business open records.

The ballot petition’s chief sponsor, Jerol Gohrick of McGregor, emailed the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday asking that the petition be withdrawn. His email did not state a reason. Gohrick did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The petition also sought to require lawmakers to disclose conflicts of interest during the legislative session.

The proposed measure stated that lawmakers who neglect to declare conflicts of interest or who falsely claim conflicts could face prosecution. Lawmakers convicted on conflict of interest-related charges would be disqualified from serving in the Legislature and could face other civil or criminal penalties, according to the measure.

Additionally, increases to lawmaker salaries or per-diem rates would not take effect until the following term in office. The proposed measure also stipulated that state lawmakers are part-time employees and ineligible for health insurance or other employee-related benefits.

It sought to prohibit lawmakers from lobbying for four years after leaving office, as well.

A separate ballot measure petition was submitted Monday that seeks to revise North Dakota statutes to allow vehicle window tinting “at any level the individual chooses it to be.” The petition is under review by the secretary of state and attorney general.