The North Dakota Legislature convened on May 2, 2025, to discuss significant updates regarding campaign finance and election transparency. The session highlighted the increasing financial demands of political campaigns and the necessity for transparency in campaign funding.

One of the key discussions centered around the rising costs of election campaigns. A legislator shared insights from their recent campaign, noting that they raised $50,000, which, combined with their starting fund balance, resulted in a total expenditure of $75,000. This figure underscores a trend where individual campaigns are now exceeding $100,000, indicating that political contests are becoming increasingly expensive.

The legislator emphasized the importance of transparency in campaign financing, stating that citizens expect to easily access information about campaign contributions and expenditures. They expressed confidence in their own campaign practices, highlighting their grassroots approach of door-to-door campaigning as a means to connect with voters.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the need to codify an Attorney General's opinion regarding federal Political Action Committees (PACs). The proposed legislation aims to clarify that these PACs must report their financial activities when influencing North Dakota elections. It also includes provisions to prevent foreign nationals and foreign political committees from contributing to local campaigns, a response to past incidents where foreign funds were used to influence state ballot measures.

Overall, the session underscored the legislature's commitment to enhancing transparency in campaign finance while addressing the evolving landscape of political funding in North Dakota. The discussions set the stage for future legislative actions aimed at ensuring fair and transparent elections.