Keith Kempenich

House committee turns ‘Spaghettios Bill’ into meal expense study

BISMARCK, N.D. – A proposal to reimburse North Dakota lawmakers for meals beyond their per diem payments could be included in a longer-term study of overall expense reimbursements. Republican Rep. Keith Kempenich introduced a bill Thursday that would reimburse state lawmakers from outside Bismarck for meals on days when they’re in session. A legislative estimate says the bill, called the…

Legislator: Law Limiting State Auditor a ‘Mistake’

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued an opinion last month that says the new law is likely unconstitutional.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ A lawmaker who pushed a measure that requires a state auditor to get approval from the Legislature to conduct performance audits is now calling the law a “mistake.” Republican Rep. Keith Kempenich tells The Associated Press that he will introduce legislation when lawmakers meet again in 2021 that will strike the requirement to have the auditor…