Lobbyists must register and maintain records with the Office of the Secretary of State (NDCC ch. 54-05.1). Lobbyists are authorized by an organization or individual to influence government decision making through the public policy process.
You are considered a lobbyist in North Dakota if you engage in:
- Securing the passage, amendment, or defeat of any legislation by the legislative assembly or the approval or veto of any legislation by the Governor
- Influencing decisions made by the legislature
You are NOT considered a lobbyist in North Dakota if you are a:
- Legislator
- Citizen appearing on your own behalf
- Employee, officer, board member, volunteer, or agent of the state or its political subdivisions, acting in an official capacity
- Anyone invited by the legislative assembly to appear for the purpose of providing information
- Anyone who appears before a legislative body for the purpose of presenting testimony on behalf of a trade, organization or industry, if the individual is introduced by the registered lobbyist for that organization
View a list of registered lobbyists or search for lobbyists using the FirstStop Portal.
Register as a Lobbyist
Lobbyists are required to register with the Secretary of State before engaging in any lobbyist activities. Lobbyist registration is effective from July 1, or the date of registration, through June 30 of the following year. All lobbyist forms and filings are done through the FirstStop Portal. The registration fee each year is $25 for one organization, and $15 for each additional organization.
Registration as a lobbyist requires the following information:
- Lobbyist - Name and mailing address
- Organization - Address and contact information
- Proof of authorization from the organization must be uploaded upon registration
- Duration - Length of time you will represent the organization
Expenditure Report Requirements
Lobbyists must file an expenditure report by August 1 of each year. Lobbyist expenditure reports can be searched on the FirstStop Portal.
Lobbyists must report expenditures through the FirstStop Portal. Expenditure reports are required for:
- Expenses of $0-$60 must be filed as "No" expenditures
- Expenses of $60 or greater must be reported for any occasion in which funds were spent on any individual, including the spouse or family member of a member of the legislature or governor
- Amounts greater than $200 must include the known ultimate and true source of funds (NDCC § 54-05.1-03(2)) an identify any sub-contributions, if needed.
Fees - The Secretary of State charges and collects late fees for expenditure reports filed after the deadline.
- $25 for a report filed after August 1, but on or before October 1
- $50 for a report filed after October 1
If a report is not filed by October 1, the lobbyist's registration will be revoked. A lobbyist may re-register under their existing profile upon filing of the missing expenditure report.
Non-Lobbyist Expenditure Report Requirements
If you do not qualify as a lobbyist under NDCC § 54-05.1-02, you must file an expenditure report with the Office of the Secretary of State, including the known ultimate and true source of funds, if you spend more than $200 to influence state government, not including travel expense or membership dues (NDCC § 54-66-02).
Non-Lobbyist Expenditure Report must be filed in the FirstStop Portal by August 1 following the date of the expenditure.
Complaints and Violations
The Secretary of State is responsible for reporting violations of this chapter or referring complaints to the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General for investigation. Lobbyist penalty fees are governed by NDCC § 54-05.1-07 and could include up to a class B misdemeanor.