North Dakota

Open Meetings Law

Formally: North Dakota Open Meetings Law

N.D. Cent. Code §§ 44-04-19 to 44-04-21.3

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 37/100 (weak)
37/100

Sunshine Score

37/100
Weak
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 1 day
Public Comment Not required, remote allowed
Closed Sessions 5 permitted categories
Minutes Required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
1 day
Special Meetings
5 days

Online posting: Not required

Public notice required in advance; topics to be considered included if practicable; no specific number of days mandated for general meetings; some bodies require 24 hours per local ordinance or rule

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

North Dakota Open Records & Meetings Law (NDCC § 44-04-19 et seq.) does not mandate public comment. Bodies permit comment at their discretion.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Allowed
Counts Toward Quorum
Yes
Public Remote Comment
Allowed

Allowed under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19; 'meeting' includes gatherings where quorum participates by telephone or electronic means. Remote members count toward quorum. Notice must include electronic address and access information for public to join remote meetings.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Not required

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Standing to Sue
Any person, Attorney General
Enforcement Body
District Court, Attorney General, State's Attorney

Scope

This law applies to:

  • City
  • County
  • School District
  • Special District

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Accessibility & Language Access

ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.

Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.

Sources & References

Notes

| minutes_publication_days: NULL — N.D.C.C. §44-04-21 requires that vote results be recorded in minutes but specifies no deadline in days for publishing or making minutes available.

← Back to Open Meetings & Public Notice Laws

The specific rules for North Dakota may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.