BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota Democrats and Republicans are pushing separate measures to prohibit the use of campaign contributions for personal use by politicians.
The bills come after House Republicans two years ago rejected a similar bipartisan bill. That action drew criticism from proponents and was even lampooned by HBO comedian John Oliver, who took aim in 2015 at North Dakota’s oil industry, its allegedly lax regulations and its political system. Republicans and Democrats both say that they don’t know of anyone using campaign funds for personal use.
Republican House Majority Leader Al Carlson, of Fargo, said that attention has nothing to do with the GOP’s bill and that he’s never heard colleagues from either party discuss having used campaign contributions for personal use. The Republican-sponsored proposal has been introduced in the Senate, and the Democratic-sponsored been is in the House.
“It just writes into law what is already happening,” he said.
Rep. Gretchen Dobervich, D-Fargo, is the primary sponsor of the House bill that would bar a candidate or elected official from converting campaign contributions into personal income. It would make it illegal to make loans with the campaign money or pay more than fair market price for goods and services that were purchased for a campaign.
A violation of the law would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $3,000 fine.
Dobervich told the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday that her proposal was not spurred by any alleged wrongdoing.
“It is not a witch hunt and no incident of one person using campaign funds to buy a house or take a trip to Hawaii precipitated this bill,” she said. “It is candidates and elected officials saying, ’I am honest and a good steward of the funds you have entrusted in me.”
The House legislation would allow leftover funds to be used for another candidate’s campaign, donations to political parties or an initiated measure effort.
The GOP-sponsored Senate version, which is slated for a hearing next week, contains nearly identical language but also is broader, incorporating some relatively minor changes to campaign finance laws, most of which are being introduced separately by Democrats.
Republicans hold supermajorities in both North Dakota houses. Dobervich said that means the Democrats’ legislation likely will be trumped by the GOP bill.
In the end, she said, it really doesn’t matter, she said.
“Truly, I just want to see this passed for the people of North Dakota,” Dobervich said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.