STATE BALLOT MEASURE

HONOR IN OFFICE ACT

EXAMPLE:

Edits would be needed, but below serves as an example of text that could be used for a ballot initiative. It helps to increase transparency and accountability by requiring legislators to read the bill before voting in favor of it. It requires their attestation that they haven't sold their vote to the highest bidder. It mandates a waiting/grace period so that citizenss can reveiw the bill and get their voices heard before the vote takes place. The full initiated measure can be seen here.

Initiative follows:

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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