Ethics Commission recruiting new member after chair announces retirement

North Dakota Ethics Commission Chair Paul Richard plans to step down at the end of August, the commission announced Thursday.

Richard, an attorney with experience in health care law, was a founding member of the commission. He was first appointed in 2019, re-appointed in 2021 and elected chair by his fellow commissioners in 2022.

Richard was involved in laying the groundwork for the commission and approving the board’s foundational policies — including its conflict of interest, complaint and gift rules.

“In my view, the five Commissioners, together with our excellent staff, have successfully implemented the goals for which the Ethics Commission was created,” Richard said in the announcement. “I have great confidence that the Commission will continue to achieve the goals intended by Article XIV of the North Dakota Constitution.”

The state is now accepting applications to fill Richards’ seat on the Governor’s Office’s website.

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Ethics Commission members are appointed by the consensus of the North Dakota governor, Senate majority leader and Senate minority leaders.

Those with questions can reach out to Ethics Commission Executive Director Rebecca Binstock at 701-328-5325.

Richard intends to stay on the commission until the newest member is chosen, according to the announcement.

“Richard is an impactful leader, innovative thinker, and advocate for government transparency,” Binstock said in the announcement. “We are grateful for his dedication to the Commission over the past five years.”

The Ethics Commission was created through a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018. It regulates ethical behavior in the areas of elections, corruption, lobbying and transparency.