STATE BALLOT MEASURE

READING THE MEASURE

Edits would be needed, but below serves as an example of text that could be used for a ballot initiative. Further explanation can be found here.

HONOR IN OFFICE ACT

PETITION TITLE

To increase honesty, transparency and accountability, a new section is added to chapter 54-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, which requires reading the bill, posting it online fourteen days in advance of the final vote, and through attestations, helps legislators to keep foremost in their minds their moral and legal obligations to the people of North Dakota.

FULL TEXT OF THE MEASURE

IF MATERIAL IS UNDERSCORED, IT IS NEW MATERIAL WHICH IS BEING ADDED. IF MATERIAL IS OVERSTRUCK BY DASHES, THE MATERIAL IS BEING DELETED. IF MATERIAL IS NOT UNDERSCORED OR OVERSTRUCK, THE MATERIAL IS EXISTING LAW THAT IS NOT BEING CHANGED.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA:

SECTION 1. A new section is added to chapter 54-03 of the North Dakota Century Code and is created and enacted as follows:

Honor In Office - Reading the bill - Transparency and accountability - Citizen input on final version of bills.

1. In order to give citizens the time to provide thoughtful input which legislators then have an opportunity to review before their vote, and to also afford legislators the time to read and understand the final version of the bill, no vote to pass or defeat a bill shall occur in either the House or the Senate until fourteen days (including weekends and holidays) after the absolute entirety of the final version of the bill has been posted in a publicly accessible fashion, on the Internet, continuously, up through the point the vote is completed. Any alterations, revisions, additions or deletions to the bill, during this fourteen day public review period, require a reposting and restart of the review period. This requirement shall not apply to dire emergencies involving state security or natural catastrophes for which immediate action is required to prevent further loss of life. (explained here and explained here)

2. No member of the legislative assembly shall vote in favor of the passage of any bill by either house unless such member certifies that he or she has fully read and understood the contents of such bill. Prior to voting in favor of the passage of any bill, each member of the legislative assembly who intends to vote in favor of such bill shall execute a written statement in the following language and form:

"I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that I, personally, have read [INSERT BILL NUMBER] in its entirety, and that I have taken the steps to understand the entire contents of this bill and its ramifications to the best of my ability."

A vote in favor of the passage of a bill shall not be counted unless it is determined that the member casting such vote has executed this writing. This certification requirement shall not apply to committee votes. (explained here)

3. Prior to voting on any bill, each member of the legislative assembly who intends to vote shall execute a written statement in the following language and form:

"I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that I have not committed any act in violation of Sections 9 of Article IV of the North Dakota Constitution, in connection with [INSERT BILL NUMBER]. I further certify under penalty of perjury that, to the best of my knowledge, my vote on [INSERT BILL NUMBER] has not been influenced by any act taken by myself or by any person upon me in violation of North Dakota Century Code chapters 12.1-12 and 54-05.1."

A vote shall not be counted unless it is determined that the member casting such vote has executed this writing. This certification requirement shall not apply to committee votes. (explained here)

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