The North Dakota Legislature's Conference Committee on House Bill 1377 convened on April 30, 2025, to discuss significant updates to campaign finance reporting regulations. A key outcome of the meeting was the establishment of hard deadlines for candidate and political committee reporting, which aims to enhance transparency in election financing.

Under the new provisions, candidates will be required to submit pre-primary reports covering contributions and expenditures from January 1 to April 30, and pre-general reports from May 1 to September 30. Additionally, a year-end report will compile all financial activities from October 1 to December 31. This structured timeline is designed to ensure timely disclosure of financial information, with special elections also included under these reporting requirements.

The committee also addressed the issue of foreign influence in campaign financing. A new prohibition will prevent political committees from accepting funds from foreign sources, a response to past incidents where foreign contributions impacted North Dakota ballot measures. This change aims to safeguard the integrity of local elections and ensure that funding comes from domestic sources.

Another notable aspect of the bill is the adjustment of reporting thresholds. The minimum contribution and expenditure reporting threshold will increase from $2.50 to $3.50 in ten years, with further increments planned thereafter. This change reflects an effort to keep pace with inflation and reduce the administrative burden on candidates and political subdivisions.

The committee emphasized the importance of providing clear instructions to candidates and political committees to facilitate compliance with the new regulations. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026, allowing stakeholders time to prepare for the transition to the updated reporting system.

Overall, House Bill 1377 represents a significant step toward improving the transparency and accountability of campaign financing in North Dakota, with implications that will resonate through future elections.