North Dakota

Open Government Guide

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Author

Amy M. Oster, Esq.
Crowley Fleck PLLP
100 West Broadway, Suite 250
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501

aoster@crowleyfleck.com
(701) 223-6585

Last updated January 2024 by legal intern Courtney Douglas

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Foreword

North Dakotans have some of the most comprehensive open records and open meetings laws in the nation. Under North Dakota law, all records of public bodies are open for inspection by anyone, and all meetings of public bodies are open for attendance by anyone, unless there is a specific statutory exception.

The North Dakota Supreme Court and the North Dakota Attorney General (whose opinions are binding on all public officials unless and until they are overruled by a court) have interpreted the open records and open meetings laws to favor the public’s right to know. Both the court and the Attorney General have stated that the term “record,” as used in the open records law, must be interpreted expansively.

Because the North Dakota Constitution and North Dakota law state that all records and meetings are open unless there is a specific exception in the law, any discussion of open records and open meetings law naturally focuses upon these exceptions. The Open Records and Open Meetings outline that follows focuses on the exceptions; of course, any attempt to locate every exception in the multiple volumes of the North Dakota Century Code carries the risk (or perhaps even the likelihood) of missing some exceptions, and the author apologizes for any such omissions. Statutes cited in the outline, as well as the remaining provisions of the North Dakota Century Code, may be found and searched online at http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information/north-dakota-century-code.

Two additional useful resources include the Open Records Manual and the Open Meetings Manual, both published by the North Dakota Attorney General. The Open Records Manual (October 2022 edition) may be found at https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf. The Open Meetings Manual (October 2022 edition) may be found at: https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenMeetingsManual.pdf. The North Dakota Attorney General’s office maintains numerous other open government resources at the following page: https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/open-records-meetings/manuals-and-guides.

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Open Records

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I. Statute

In North Dakota, all public records are open records, unless there is a specific statutory exception for a particular type of record. The North Dakota Constitution states:

Unless otherwise provided by law, all records of public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state or any political subdivision of the state, or organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, shall be public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours.

N.D. Const., art. XI, § 6.

The North Dakota open records statute contains essentially the same language:

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all records of a public entity are public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours.
Upon request for a copy of specific public records, any entity subject to subsection 1 shall furnish the requester one copy of the public records requested. An initial request need not be made in person or in writing, and the copy must be mailed upon request. A public entity may require written clarification of the request to determine what records are being requested, but may not ask for the motive or reason for requesting the records or for the identity of the person requesting the public records.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(1)-(2).

Emphasizing the central function of the open records law, the North Dakota Supreme Court held, “What the Legislature was attempting to accomplish was to provide the public with the right and means of informing itself of the conduct of the business in which the public has an interest, in order that the citizen and taxpayer might examine public records to determine whether public money is being properly spent, or for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the public irregularities in the handling of public matters.” Grand Forks Herald, Inc. v. Lyons, 101 N.W. 2d 453, 546 (N.D. 1960). The court later concluded, “For an exception to the open-records law to exist under our constitutional and statutory provisions, it must be specific, i.e., the Legislature must directly address the status of the record in question, for a specific exception, by the plain terms of those provisions, may not be implied.” Hovet v. Hebron Pub. Sch. Dist., 419 N.W.2d 189 (N.D. 1988).

Although the state constitution and the statute are clear that unless an express exception applies, public records are open records, there are nonetheless specific statutes declaring that certain records are open records, subject to exceptions. For example, the statutes address the records of the State Highway Department (N.D.C.C. § 24-02-11(1)), the State Engineer (N.D.C.C. § 61-03-06), the Water Conservation Commission (N.D.C.C. § 61-02-11), school districts (N.D.C.C. § 15.1-07-25(1)), and irrigation district boards of directors (N.D.C.C. § 61-06-21.1). Additionally, city real property assessment rolls (N.D.C.C. § 40-19-03) and master lists of potential jurors (N.D.C.C. § 27-09.1-05(3)) are listed as open records.

In addition, some entities may be subject to North Dakota’s public records laws even if they are not arms of the government. An organization created or recognized by a state statute or by an action of a state agency for the purpose of performing a public function — on behalf of or standing in the place of a public entity — is subject to open records laws. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13)(a), (b); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2017-O-07; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-19; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-16; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen.

2008-O-29; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2006-O-05; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2006-O-02; See Hagen v. N. Dakota Ins. Rsrv. Fund, 971 N.W.2d 833, 839 (N.D. 2022) (holding that an insurance pool organized as a state self-insurance pool qualified as an “agency” of the city). Next, a non-governmental organization can qualify as a “public entity” if is spends public money or receives public money for its operations. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(10). Third, if an entity performs a government function or maintains records that relate to businesses that fulfill the role of a public entity, it may be considered as an “agent” or an “agency” of a public entity, making it subject to public records laws. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13), (16). See also Forum Publishing Co. v. City of Fargo, 391 N.W.2d 169 (N.D. 1986). N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2017-O-01; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2015-O-01; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2014-O-24; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen.2014-O-04; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-19; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-16; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2008-O-15; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2007-O-07. Entities that qualify as “agencies of government” include: an advertising company that worked on behalf of a city, a university bookstore, and a human society, a taxi company, and a foundation. This scheme is one reason why North Dakota’s public records laws are so expansive. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2001-O-04. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2001-O-11; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2001-O-10. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2004-L-25. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2015-O-01.N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2014-O-24.N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2014-O-07; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2014-O-04; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-10; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2009-O-08; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2006-O-01.

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A. Who can request records?

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1. Status of requester

There is no limitation in the statute regarding who can request records—any member of the public can request or view records. When acting as requesters, journalists, governmental agencies, North Dakota residents, and other members of the public are all equal in the eyes of the public records law, and public bodies considering records request are not afforded discretion over the types of people allowed access to government records. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2011-O-11; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2005-O-12; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 94-F-18; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. Letter to Staiger (Feb. 23, 1978). See also N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 81-130. While a former statute used to limit the access of records of a school district to “any taxpayer of the district,” that statute has been repealed and reenacted to state, “Except as otherwise provided by law, all records and documents of a school district are open to examination by any person.” N.D.C.C. § 15.1-07-25. The North Dakota Supreme Court has noted, “The news media does not occupy a special status distinct from that of the general public.” Dickinson Newspapers v. Jorgenson, 338 N.W.2d 72, 79 (N.D. 1983).

One key exception curtails the general rule that the identity of the requester is irrelevant to whether the public entity should disclose the requested records. If the person seeking records is a party or an agent of a party to litigation — a criminal or civil case, arbitration, or any adversarial administrative proceeding to which the public entity is a party, then the request must not go through the public records law, but rather through discovery rules. 58 N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-06; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2011-O-11. In these cases, records that are disclosable under public records rules but that may be withheld pursuant to discovery rules are not disclosed to the requester. The requester can go through the proper discovery channels to attempt to compel the disclosure of the records. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(6); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-06; 2011-O-11; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2008-O-08; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2002-O-05. However, if the matter has concluded after a final judgment with no opportunity for appeal, parties should be able to request records pursuant to the public records statute rather than the discovery process. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2022-O-15.

Additionally, advance notice is not required; “anyone who walks into city offices without advance notice is entitled to inspect city records.” N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. Letter to Tomac (July 17, 1991) (clarifying that some records may not be immediately available if they contain confidential information, and time for redaction analysis is necessary).

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2. Purpose of request

The purpose of the request does not affect the right to receive records. There is no statutory requirement to disclose a purpose when requesting or accessing public records. Generally, the public entity from which the records are requested cannot ask why the records are requested, ask for identification, or require that a request be made in writing or in person.

Although the public’s purpose cannot constrain their ability to access records, unless they are legal adversaries of the public entity (as described above), the requester’s purpose can, in certain circumstances, help them circumvent exemptions. For example, a mental health professional not treating a patient may be able to obtain confidential medical records to determine whether the patient should be subject to involuntary hospitalization. State auditors may be able to access secret files pertaining to a public entity’s operations for the purpose of the audit. Researchers may be able to obtain anonymized confidential files for scholarly purposes. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 94-L-267. 213 N.D.C.C. § 54-10-22.1. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 95-L-1; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 94-L-305. 214 See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 85-23; N.D.A.C. ch. 10-13-10; N.D.A.C. §§ 33-06-03-04; 75-01-02-01. See also North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 26, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf.

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3. Use of records

While the open records constitutional provision and statute contain no provisions regarding the subsequent use of information, other North Dakota law may restrict the use of some information acquired through the open records law. For example, the public records statute may restrict the use of any trade secrets information acquired through the open records law, as North Dakota statutory law creates a civil action for the misappropriation of trade secrets. N.D.C.C. 47-25.1; See also N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 85-24, at 3 (1985). However, trade secrets information is not subject to disclosure under the statute, pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4(1).

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4. Can an individual request records on behalf of a third party or organization?

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B. Whose records are and are not subject to the Act

The state’s open records law applies to the records of any “public entity.” There are three ways for a governmental or non-governmental organization to qualify as a public entity:

Public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions or agencies of the state, including any entity created or recognized by the Constitution of North Dakota, state statute, or executive order of the governor or any task force or working group created by the individual in charge of a state agency or institution,5 to exercise public authority or perform a governmental function;
Public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions or agencies of any political subdivision6 of the state and any entity created or recognized by the Constitution of North Dakota, state statute, executive order of the governor, resolution, ordinance, rule, bylaw, or executive order of the chief executive authority of a political subdivision of the state to exercise public authority or perform a governmental function; and
Organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13).

Under the state constitution, the records of all “public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state or any political subdivision of the state, or organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds” are covered by open records law. N.D. Const., Art. XI, Sec. 6.

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1. Executive branch

All executive branch agencies are covered by the open records law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13)(i).

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2. Legislative bodies

All legislative bodies are covered by the open records law. However, it is worth noting the following records, regardless of form or characteristic, of or relating to the legislative counsel, the legislative management, the legislative assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or a member of the legislative assembly are not subject to the law: records of a purely personal or private nature, records that are legislative council work product or legislative council-client communication, records that reveal the content of private communications between a member of the legislative assembly and any person, and (except with respect to a governmental entity determining the proper use of telephone service) records of telephone usage that identify the parties or list the telephone numbers of the parties involved. None of these exceptions apply to records distributed at open meetings, and phone records can be provided to governmental entities to determine whether telephone services have been used properly. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.6. See also Open Records Manual at 36.

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3. Courts

Courts are not subject to the open records and open meetings laws. Instead, North Dakota courts maintain and dispose of court records in accordance with the rules, policies, and procedures adopted by the North Dakota Supreme Court. N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-06. The North Dakota Supreme Court has promulgated Administrative Rule 41, which provides a comprehensive framework for public access to court records. N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 41. The rule may be found online at https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndsupctadminr/41.

It is generally assumed that a right of access to courts and court records exists, in the absence of an explicit exception. The North Dakota Supreme Court has held, for example, that the public has a right to inspect the records of judicial proceedings after the proceedings are completed and entered in the docket. State ex rel. Williston Herald, Inc. v. O’Connell, 151 N.W.2d 758, 763 (N.D. 1967). The right is subject to reasonable rules and regulations by the court as to who may inspect the records and where and how such inspection may be made. Id; see also N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 41.5(c)-(d). Additionally, court dockets are open to the public. Minot Daily News v. Holum, 380 N.W.2d 347, 350 (N.D. 1986); see also N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 41.3(b)(1).

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4. Nongovernmental bodies

Because the open records law covers “organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds,” the records of such organizations are subject to the act. “Public funds” are defined as cash and other assets with more than minimal value received from the state or from any political subdivision of the state. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(14). An organization or agency “supported in whole or in part by public funds” means an organization or agency that has received public funds exceeding the fair market value of any goods or services given in exchange for the funds. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(10). The funds may be grants, membership dues, fees, or any other type of payment. Id. According to the North Dakota attorney general, a nongovernmental organization expends public funds when it manages a pool of public funds on behalf of one or more public entities, or when it receives and uses a direct appropriation from a governmental entity. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 99-O-02 (1999); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 96-18 (1996).

The North Dakota attorney general has also opined that nonprofit corporations receiving public funds are public entities subject to the state’s open records and open meetings laws, and that a development company funded by a public sales tax is subject to the open records laws. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2006-O-04 (2006); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2005-O-06 (2005). In Forum Publishing Company v. City of Fargo, the North Dakota Supreme Court held that a private personnel firm hired to select a new police chief for the city of Fargo was subject to the open records law. 391 N.W.2d 169, 172 (N.D. 1986). The court held it “did not believe the open-record law can be circumvented by the delegation of a public duty to a third party, and these documents are not any less a public record simply because they were in the possession of [the private personnel firm].” Id.

If a body is not a public or governmental body, but its members include governmental officials, the open records law applies only if the body is supported in whole or in part by public funds or if the body expends public funds. For example, in Adams County Record v. Greater North Dakota Association, ten state government agencies purchased thirty memberships from the Greater North Dakota Association, a nonprofit corporation engaged in lobbying efforts. 529 N.W.2d 830, 832 (N.D. 1995). The North Dakota Supreme Court held there were disputed issues of fact for the district court to decide as to whether the corporation was supported by public funds. Id. at 838. The Supreme Court found that the Greater North Dakota Association may be subject to open records laws, because the government agencies paid membership dues and because the association received public funds in the form of a grant to aid in publishing a magazine. Id. at 836-38.

When deciding whether an entity is supported by public funds, the “key question is whether public funds are being used to support an organization, or merely purchase goods or services.” If the public funds granted to an organization exceed the fair market value of any goods or services given in exchange for the funds, that money counts as “support,” making the entity public and therefore subject to public records laws. See also Open Records Manual at 3. And even if a nongovernmental organization is paid fair market value for the goods or services that it provides to the government, the organization can qualify as a public entity – making it subject to open government laws – if it performs a governmental function or “possesses records regarding public business on behalf of or in place of a public entity.” Id. at 4; N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13), (16). See also Forum Publishing Co. v. City of Fargo, 391 N.W.2d 169 (N.D. 1986). N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2017-O-01; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2015-O-01; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2014-O-24; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2014-O-04; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-19; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2013-O-16; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2008-O-15; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2007-O-07.

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5. Multi-state or regional bodies

There is no specific statutory provision regarding such bodies. Governmental agency or nonpublic entity records obtained by the attorney general are exempt under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.12 if the attorney general determines: 1) The record is necessary to monitor or enforce compliance with a law or order or to further a civil investigation or litigation by the state; 2) The record is treated as confidential or privileged by the provider; and 3) The provider has not agreed to waive the privilege relating to or confidentiality of the record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.12.

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6. Advisory boards and commissions, quasi-governmental entities

The open records law expressly applies to task forces and working groups created by the individual in charge of a state agency or institution. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13). “Task force or working group” is defined as “a group of individuals who have been formally appointed and delegated to meet as a group to assist, advice, or act on behalf of the individual in charge of a state agency or institution when a majority of the members of the group are not employees of the agency or institution.” N.D.C.C. §440-4-17.1(17). Additionally, because almost all advisory boards, commissions, and quasi-governmental entities expend public funds or are supported in whole or in part by public funds, they would be within the open records law. It is worth noting all records of the Board of Medical Examiners investigative panels (other than their financial records) are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 43-17.1-08.

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7. Others

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C. What records are and are not subject to the act?

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1. What kinds of records are covered?

Under the law, record “means recorded information of any kind, regardless of the physical form or characteristic by which the information is stored, recorded, or reproduced, which is in the possession or custody of a public entity or its agent and which has been received or prepared for use in connection with public business or contains information relating to public business.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(16). Record “does not include unrecorded thought processes or mental impressions, but does include preliminary drafts and working papers.” Id. Record “also does not include records in the possession of a court of this state.” Id. Additionally, as of 2021, the working papers of an internal auditor of the North Dakota University System and institutions under the control of the State Board of Higher Education are exempt from the public records statute. N.D.C.C. 15-10-44.2(2). Further, a public official is responsible only for the records they create and works within the scope of their government role. Personal water bills of public officials, for example, are not public records. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2023-O-07; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2024-O-02.

All of the decisions of the North Dakota Supreme Court and the opinions of the attorney general regarding this issue have stated that the term “record” should be given an expansive interpretation and should not be limited to records required by law or ordinance. See, e.g., Forum Publishing Company v. City of Fargo, 391 N.W.2d 169, 171 (N.D. 1988); City of Grand Forks v. Grand Forks Herald, 307 N.W.2d 572, 577-78 (N.D. 1981) (but note that Justice VandeWalle’s concurring opinion states, “I do not imply that every scrap of paper a public official or a public employee might retain in the course of his tenure with a public body is a public record. . . . [T]he term, as used in these provisions, implies a document of some official import to be retained by a public officer or employee in the course of his public duties.”), Energy Transfer LP v. N. Dakota Priv. Investigative & Sec. Bd., 973 N.W.2d 404 (N.D. 2022) (holding that records handed over through discovery in administrative proceedings to the Private Investigative and Security Board qualified as “records” under the statute). The Attorney General emphasized this sentiment, emphasizing that while the term “record” does not cover “every scrap of written material possessed by a public official,” it does cover documents that “have a link or association with public business.” N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 62-118 (Jan. 12, 1962); Open Records Manual at 6.

Finally, a government official cannot render public records unresponsive to a request by disposing of them. A public entity violates the open records law when it throws away records subject to a pending records request. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2020-O-02.

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2. What physical form of records are covered

As noted above, record “means recorded information of any kind, regardless of the physical form or characteristic by which the information is stored, recorded, or reproduced, which is in the possession or custody of a public entity or its agent and which has been received or prepared for use in connection with public business or contains information relating to public business.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(16).

Additionally, “[a]utomation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3). “As each public entity increases its use of and dependence on electronic recordkeeping, each agency must provide reasonable public access to records electronically maintained and must ensure that exempt or confidential records are not disclosed except as otherwise permitted by law.” Id. Additionally, North Dakota public entities are prohibited from contracting with companies to create or maintain a public records database “if that contract impairs the ability of the public to inspect of copy the public records of the agency, including public records online.” Id.

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3. Are certain records available for inspection but not copying?

Although generally records must be available for copying, two statutory provisions address this issue. First, if the entity is not authorized to use the fees paid to cover the cost of providing a copy, or if a copy machine is not readily available, the entity may make arrangements for the copy to be provided or mailed by another entity, and the requester shall pay the fee to that other entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(2). Second, while access to an electronically stored record must be provided at the requester’s option in either a printed document or through any other available medium, it is worth noting that “a public entity is not required to provide an electronically stored record in a different structure, format, or organization.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(4).

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4. Telephone call logs

Telephone usage records are generally public records which subject to the open records statute. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 94-19 (1994). The North Dakota legislature, however, has exempted its own telephone records showing the identification of persons and their telephone numbers from the open records statute. See § N.D.C.C 44-04-18.6(1)(d). However, there is an exception to this exemption: occasions when a governmental entity must determine the proper use of its telephone service. Id.

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5. Electronic records (e.g., databases, metadata)

The North Dakota Century Code states, “Automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3). As public entities increase their use of and dependence on electronic recordkeeping, they must provide reasonable public access to records electronically maintained and must ensure that exempt or confidential records are not disclosed except as otherwise permitted by law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3).

Furthermore, public entities may not enter into a contract for the creation or maintenance of a public records database if that contract impairs the ability of the public to inspect or copy the public records of an agency, including public records online or stored in an electronic recordkeeping system used by the agency. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3).

An electronic copy of a record must be provided upon request at no cost, other than the standard costs allowed, unless the nature or volume of the public records requested to be accessed or provided requires extensive use of information technology resources. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3). In that case, the agency may charge no more than the actual cost incurred for the extensive use of information technology resources incurred by the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3). “Extensive” is defined as a request for copies of electronic records which take more than an hour of information technology resources to produce. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3).

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a. Can the requester choose a format for receiving records?

A public entity is not required to create or compile a record that does not exist. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(4).

The requestor has the option of accessing an electronically stored record in either a printed medium or through any other available medium. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(4). A computer file is not considered an available medium if no means exist to separate or prevent the disclosure of any closed or confidential information contained in the file. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(4). Except as reasonably necessary to reveal the organization of data contained in an electronically stored record, a public entity is not required to provide an electronically stored record in a different structure, format, or organization. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(4).

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b. Can the requester obtain a customized search of computer databases to fit particular needs

A public entity is not required to provide a requester with access to a computer terminal. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(4).

A public entity may establish procedures for providing access from an outside location to any computer database or electronically filed or stored information maintained by the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(5). The procedures must address the measures that are necessary to maintain the confidentiality of information protected by federal or state law, and a reasonable fee may be charged. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(5).

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c. Does the existence of information in electronic format affect its openness?

No. “Automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(3).

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d. Online dissemination

The open records statute does not address online dissemination.

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6. Email

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7. Text messages and other electronic messages

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9. Computer software

A computer software program and components of a computer software program that are subject to a copyright or a patent and any formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process supplied to a public entity that is the subject of efforts by the supplying person to maintain its secrecy and that may derive independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons that might obtain economic value from its disclosure or use is confidential, so long as the information is of a privileged nature and has not been previously publicly disclosed. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4(1), (2)(c)(7).

Any computer software program or component of a computer software program contracted, developed, or acquired by a public entity or state agency, institution, department, or board and for which the public entity or state agency, institution, department, or board acquires a license, copyright, or patent is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.5.

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10. Can a requester ask for the creation or compilation of a new record?

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D. Fee provisions

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1. Types of assessable fees (e.g., for search, review, duplication) and levels or limitations on fees

A public entity may charge up to 25 cents per impression of a paper copy, defined as a one-sided or two-sided duplicated copy of a size not more than 8.5 by 14 inches. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(2). A public entity may charge a “reasonable fee” for making any copy of a record that is not a paper copy. Id. “Reasonable fee” is defined as the actual cost to the public entity of making the copy, including labor, materials, and equipment. Id. The entity may also charge for the actual cost of postage to mail a copy of a record. Id. The entity may require payment before locating, redacting, making, or mailing a copy. Id. The entity may impose a fee not exceeding $25 per hour per request, excluding the initial hour, for locating records, including electronic records. Id. The entity may also impose a fee not exceeding $25 per hour per request, excluding the initial hour, for excising confidential or closed material, including electronic records. Id.

Concerning fees, it is also worth noting that a county official is not required to compile statistical information not already compiled in response to requests made by private individuals, firms or corporations. N.D.C.C. § 11-13-02.1. However, if the official chooses to do so, the board of county commissioners can then determine a fee not to exceed $25 per hour, excluding the initial hour.

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2. Particular fee specifications or provisions

The provisions above do not apply to copies of public records for which a different fee is specifically provided by law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(2). For example, accident reports requested by the public from the North Dakota Department of Transportation require a fee of two dollars. N.D.C.C. § 39-08-13(6). Registration and license records may be inspected during business hours for a fee not to exceed three dollars for each item of information furnished to any person concerning a specific motor vehicle. N.D.C.C. § 39-02-05. A person requesting information concerning a motor vehicle that he or she owns, however, may not be assessed charges. Id.

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3. Provisions for fee waivers

The open records statute does not address fee waivers.

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4. Requirements or prohibitions regarding advance payment

A public entity may require payment before locating, redacting, making, or mailing a copy. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(2).

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5. Have agencies imposed prohibitive fees to discourage requesters?

There are no reported cases indicating that any North Dakota agency has imposed a prohibitive fee in order to discourage requesters.

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6. Fees for electronic records

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E. Who enforces the Act?

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1. Attorney General's role

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review a written denial of a request for records. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). A request must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation. Id. The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential in order to determine whether the information is exempt or confidential. Id. Any such information may not be released by the attorney general and may be returned to the provider of the information. Id. The attorney general shall issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation, unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. Id.

If the attorney general issues a written opinion concluding that a violation has occurred, the public entity has seven days after the opinion is issued, regardless of whether a civil action is filed, to disclose the record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(2). If the public entity fails to disclose the record within the seven-day period and the person requesting the opinion prevails in a civil action brought under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2, the requestor must be awarded costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the action and on appeal. Id. The consequences for failing to comply with an attorney general’s opinion also include potential personal liability for the person or persons responsible for the noncompliance. Id. If a North Dakota public entity does not fully comply with the Attorney General’s opinion, it must hire and pay for its own legal counsel, who can be appointed as a special assistant attorney general. N.D.C.C. §54-12-08; N.D.C.C. §44-04-21.1(3).

Additionally, a civil action may be brought for a violation of the open records laws. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2. The court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, a writ of prohibition or mandamus, costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity for any violation. Id. For an intentional or knowing violation, the court may award damages in amount equal to $1,000 or actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. Id. A civil action must be commenced within sixty days of the date the requestor knew or should have known of the violation or within thirty days of the issuance of an attorney general’s opinion on the alleged violation, whichever is later. Id. The remedies provided under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2 are not available if a violation has been corrected before a civil action has been filed and no person has been prejudiced or harmed by the delay. Id. A person interested in bringing a civil action must give at least three working days’ notice of the alleged violation to the chief administrative officer of the public entity. Id. The opportunity to cure a violation does not apply, however, if the entity has previously violated the open records laws. Id. The North Dakota Supreme Court has held that public records requesters did not satisfy the notice requirement for bringing a claim under the open records statute when, prior to filing their action, they gave their mayor a document that alluded to a possible public records statute violation, but that did not allege such a violation. The court held that “A document intended to provide notice under a statute or rule must clearly state the fact or allegation of which the document is giving notice.” Mickelson v. City of Rolla, 993 N.W.2d 342, 345 (N.D. 2023).

Finally, the attorney general may refer to the appropriate state’s attorney any public servant who has been found in more than one opinion to have violated the open records law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.3. A public servant who knowingly violates the open records law is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Id.

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2. Availability of an ombudsman

The open records statute does not address the availability of an ombudsman.

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3. Commission or agency enforcement

The open records statute does not address commission or agency enforcement.

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F. Are there sanctions for noncompliance?

If the attorney general issues a written opinion concluding that a violation has occurred, the public entity has seven days after the opinion is issued, regardless of whether a civil action is filed, to disclose the record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(2). If the public entity fails to disclose the record within the seven-day period and the person requesting the opinion prevails in a civil action brought under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2, the requestor must be awarded costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the action and on appeal. Id. The consequences for failing to comply with an attorney general’s opinion also include potential personal liability for the person or persons responsible for the noncompliance. Id.

In a civil action, the court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, a writ of prohibition or mandamus, costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity for any violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2. For an intentional or knowing violation, the court may award damages in an amount equal to $1,000 or actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. Id. These remedies are not available if a violation has been corrected before a civil action has been filed and no person has been prejudiced or harmed by the delay. Id. However, if the entity has previously violated the open records laws, these remedies would still be available. Id.

On the other hand, if public servants disclose public records that trigger tortious claims like defamation, they are immune from liability so long as their disclosures are pursuant to their official duties. See N.D.C.C. § 14-02-05(1); See Thompson-Widmer v. Larson, 955 N.W.2d 76, 81 (N.D. 2021).

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G. Record-holder obligations

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1. Search obligations

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2. Proactive disclosure requirements

The open records statute does not address proactive disclosure requirements.

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3. Records retention requirements

The open records statute does not address the amount of time records must be retained by public entities.

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4. Provisions for broad, vague, or burdensome requests

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II. Exemptions and other legal limitations

Because the general rule under North Dakota law is that all records are open unless an exception applies, much of North Dakota open records law consists of exceptions to the rule. Without an express exception, any public record is an open record.

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A. Exemptions in the open records statute

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1. Character of exemptions

The North Dakota Constitution and North Dakota statutes provide that all records are open unless there is a specific exception in the law.

“Confidential” records are characterized by a lack of discretion to disclose the documents to the public, and the release of such records can generally be punished. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(3); N.D.C.C. § 12.1-13-01.

“Exempt” records are all or part of records that are neither required by law to be open to the public, nor are confidential, but may be open in the discretion of the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(5).

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2. Discussion of each exemption

The following records are exempt from the general open records statutes as set forth below.

Court Records:

Adoption records, except when the child-placing agency authorizes exchanges of information between the genetic parents, adoptive parents, and adopted child. N.D.C.C. § 14-15-16.
Records of judicial hearings concerning a minor’s application to obtain an abortion without parental consent. N.D.C.C. § 14-02.1-03.1(3).
The identity of a woman suing a person who conducted an abortion without informed consent and other records of the proceedings, when the court, on its own or upon motion, determines that the woman’s anonymity should be preserved. N.D.C.C. § 14-02.1-03.3.
The record of any court hearing conducted under N.D.C.C. § 23-07.5-02(4), relating to testing for bloodborne pathogens. N.D.C.C. § 23-07.5-02(4).
The report of genetic testing for parentage, as well as court records concerning hearings on parentage (unless the parties consent or on order of the court for good cause). N.D.C.C. §§ 14-20-35, 14-20-54.
All files and records of juvenile courts. N.D.C.C. § 27-20-51. (Procedures for the disposal of juvenile court records are outlined in N.D.C.C. § 27-20-54.)
Social services reports requested by judges, including social-psychological evaluations, predisposition reports, treatment, probation, and aftercare services (except as may be disclosed by the judge), as well as records of the Department of Human Services containing individually identifiable information on an individual applying for or receiving assistance or services under any program of the department. N.D.C.C. §§ 50-06-05.1(15)-(16), 50-06-15.
Reports, transcripts, records, or other information relating to State Health Officer legal actions to enjoin a person with human immunodeficiency virus infection from continuing to engage in an activity that presents an imminent danger to the public. N.D.C.C. § 23-07.4-03.
All information and records obtained in the course of an investigation, evaluation, examination, or treatment under the state’s civil commitment procedures and the presence or past presence of a patient in a treatment facility. N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-43.
The name of the respondent to an appeal from an order of involuntary commitment or alternative treatment, a continuing treatment order, an order denying a petition for discharge, or an order of transfer. N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-29.
Veterans discharge documents recorded by clerks of district courts, which can only be made available to designated persons. N.D.C.C. § 37-01-34.
Probation records when the plea of guilty is withdrawn by the defendant or the verdict of guilty is set aside by the court, except upon the written order of the court. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-07.2.
Statements and votes made by grand jurors and other grand jury matters, except when ordered by a court to disclose certain testimony. N.D.C.C. §§ 29-10.1-30(3), 29-10.1-31. Matters other than the deliberations and vote of any grand juror may be disclosed by the state’s attorney, prosecutor, or attorney general solely with regard to performing their duties. N.D.C.C. §§ 29-10.1-30(2). The attorney general may disclose these matters to law enforcement agencies only to the extent the attorney general deems them essential to the public interest and effective law enforcement. N.D.C.C. § 29-10.2-05(2).
The testimony of a witness who is interrogated before a grand jury, or any proceedings of the grand jury in the witness’ presence, until an indictment is filed and the accused person is in custody. N.D.C.C. § 29-10.1-30.
Reports or presentments of state grand juries that are not accompanied by true bills of indictment, until the individuals concerned have been furnished a copy thereof and given thirty days to file with the district court a motion to suppress or expunge the reports or those portions which are improper and unlawful. N.D.C.C. § 29-10.2-05(3). Any such motion, whether granted or denied, automatically acts as a stay of public announcement of such a report, or portion thereof, until the district court’s ruling on the motion is either affirmed or denied by an appellate court, or until the time within which such order may be so appealed has expired, whichever occurs first.
Sealed jury verdicts, until they have been rendered in open court. N.D.C.C. § 29-22-21.
Names of qualified jurors and the contents of jury qualification forms completed by those jurors shall be made available to the public, unlessthe court determines in any instance that this information in the interest of justice should be kept confidential or its use limited in whole or in part. N.D.C.C. § 27-09.1-09(3). See also Forum Comm. Co. v. Paulson, 752 N.W.2d 177 (N.D. 2008).
The contents of any records or papers used by the clerk in connection with the jury selection process, until after all persons selected to serve as jurors have been discharged. N.D.C.C. § 27-09.1-12(4).
Wills deposited by testators or their agents with recorders for safekeeping, until the testator’s death, when the recorders deliver the wills to the persons designated to receive them or to the appropriate courts. N.D.C.C. § 30.1-11-01.
Information contained in a complaint and warrant, if the magistrate orders the information confidential after a law enforcement officer articulates a reason for the confidentiality that convinces the issuing magistrate that limited confidentiality is necessary for the safety of the law enforcement officer or to enable the warrant to be properly served. N.D.C.C. §§ 29-05-32; 29-29-22. The magistrate shall limit the duration of the order to the time of arrest of the accused and shall exempt law enforcement officers in the performance of official duties. N.D.C.C. §§ 29-05-32; 29-29-

Legislative Materials

21. Testimony and other evidence given or adduced at a legislative investigative hearing closed to the public, unless authorized by a majority of the members of the committee. N.D.C.C. § 54-03.2-12(7).

22. All information of a defamatory or highly prejudicial nature received by or for a legislative committee conducting an investigation, unless the information was received at a hearing (but see exception above), a majority of the committee authorizes public release, or its use is required for judicial purposes. N.D.C.C. § 54-03.2-12(8).

23. The following records, regardless of form or characteristic, of or relating to the legislative counsel, the legislative management, the legislative assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or a member of the legislative assembly: records of a purely personal or private nature, records that are legislative council work product or legislative council-client communication, records that reveal the content of private communications between a member of the legislative assembly and any person, and (except with respect to a governmental entity determining the proper use of telephone service) records of telephone usage that identify the parties or list the telephone numbers of the parties involved, except records distributed at open meetings. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.6.

State Department of Health Records and Information:

24. The medical records of abortion facilities and hospitals in which abortions are performed and all information contained therein. N.D.C.C. § 14-02.1-07(1)(b). The records may be used by the state department of health only for gathering statistical data and ensuring compliance with the laws. N.D.C.C. § 14-02.1-07(1)(b).

Records, reports, and information obtained by the department of health in its enforcement of air pollution control standards, where a satisfactory showing is made to the department that the records, reports, or information (other than emission data), if made public, would divulge trade secrets. N.D.C.C. § 23-25-06.
All information, records of interviews, written reports, statements, notes, memoranda, or other data procured by the department of health (or a co-sponsoring person, agency, or organization) in connection with studies conducted for the purpose of reducing morbidity or mortality from any cause or condition of health. N.D.C.C. § 23-01-15.
All Health Care Data Committee records, data, and information that could be used to identify individual patients. N.D.C.C. § 23-01.1-05.
Department of health information (other than reports relating to vital statistics) concerning licensure of medical hospitals and state hospitals, except that information may be disclosed in a proceeding involving the question of licensure. N.D.C.C. § 23-16-09.
Records of maternity homes and reports received therefrom. N.D.C.C. § 50-19-10.
Ionizing radiation development records, reports, or information provided to the department of health under chapter 23-20.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, if the department grants confidentiality following a written request, notice of opportunity for a public hearing under chapter 28-32, and a satisfactory showing that confidentiality is required to protect trade secrets or medical and individual radiation exposure files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clear invasion of personal privacy. N.D.C.C. § 23-20.1-09.1.
Reports to the department of health concerning individuals with a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or human immunodeficiency virus-related illness, including death from human immunodeficiency virus infection (with certain exceptions). N.D.C.C. § 23-07-02.2.
Information contained in disease control records, including the results of laboratory tests, except as authorized by department of health rules. N.D.C.C. § 23-07-20.1.
Statements of antifreeze formula and other trade secrets that must be furnished to the state health department. N.D.C.C. § 19-16.1-10.
For health-related records outside of the department of health, see N.D.C.C. §§ 12-59-04 (parole records), 15-10-17(7) (state board of higher education adopted rules), 23-01-03.1 (newborn metabolic and genetic disease screening tests), 23-17-09 (state board of chiropractic examiners records), and 43-17.1-08 (board of medical examiners investigative panels records).

Department of Human Services Records and Information:

Individually identifiable information concerning an individual applying for or receiving assistance or services under any program of the department of human services. N.D.C.C. § 50-06-15(1); see alsoN.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-01-02 and 75-01-03.
Information received by the department of human services through inspections of substance abuse treatment programs, except in a proceeding involving the issuance of a license. N.D.C.C. § 50-31-06.
The contents of records of licensed foster care facilities and the records of the department of human services pertaining to the children or adults receiving care. N.D.C.C. § 50-11-05; see alsoNorth Dakota Administrative Code § . 75-03-16-27.
Records and information maintained with respect to children receiving early childhood services. N.D.C.C. § 50-11.1-07.
Reports to the department of human services, and any other information obtained, concerning child abuse and neglect. N.D.C.C. § 50-25.1-11.
Information regarding aid to dependent children provided to state agencies and their officials, employees, and agents. N.D.C.C. § 50-09-08.2.
The contents of the individual records of a treatment or care center for developmentally disabled individuals, or reports received from those records. N.D.C.C. § 25-16-07.
All records and information regarding students with disabilities receiving boarding home care. N.D.C.C. § 15.1-34-10.
Information supplied by the tax commissioner to certain state agencies to effectuate the intent of the setoff of income tax refund chapter. N.D.C.C. § 57-38.3-08.
Records and files of state and regional long-term care ombudsmen and their authorized agents that relate to, or identify, any resident of a long-term care facility or a complainant, except where a resident or legal representative consents in writing to the release and designates to whom the information shall be disclosed, where the ombudsman authorizes a disclosure that does not reveal the identity of any complainant or resident, or where a court of competent jurisdiction orders disclosure. N.D.C.C. § 50-10.1-07.
Reports and all records and information obtained or generated as a result of reports relating to vulnerable adult protection services. N.D.C.C. § 50-25.2-12.

State Institutions and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Records and Information:

Records of individuals in institutions maintained by the supervising departments of institutions. N.D.C.C. § 25-01.1-13.
The medical, psychological, and treatment records of the department of corrections and rehabilitation relating to individuals in the custody or under the supervision of the division of adult services of the department. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(2).
The case history records of the department of corrections and rehabilitation are exempt records, but upon application to the district court, the court may order the inspection of a case history record unless there is a showing that a proper and legitimate reason exists for denying the inspection. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(1). “Case history record” includes inmate disciplinary proceedings, administrative and disciplinary segregation placements, institutional and criminal investigation reports, supervision histories, job placements, education programs, inmate financial accounts, and protective management cases. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(1).
Additionally, the records of an applicant for commutation, reprieve, pardon, conditional pardon, or remission of fine are subject to N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36. N.D.C.C. § 12-55.1-11. The pardon clerk may permit the inspection of an application for a commutation, reprieve, pardon, conditional pardon, or remission of fine; the recommendations of the pardon advisory board, if any; and the decision of the governor, including any decision made after reconsideration or after proceedings for revocation. N.D.C.C. § 12-55.1-11.
All parole records of the department of corrections and rehabilitation obtained in the discharge of official duty by any member of the parole board or employee of a division or department of the department of corrections and rehabilitation on behalf of the parole board. N.D.C.C. § 12-59-04. An application for parole and the decision of the parole board on the application are open records. N.D.C.C. § 12-59-04.
Records of the division of adult services of the department of corrections and rehabilitation concerning the application for or award of compensation under the Crime Victims Compensation Act. N.D.C.C. § 54-23.4-17.
Information, data, reports, and records made available to an internal quality assurance review committee of the developmental center at Grafton (except that information, documents, and records otherwise available from original sources are not immune from discovery merely because they were presented during the proceedings of the committee). N.D.C.C. § 25-04-19.

Department of Transportation Records and Information:

The following entries on a driver’s record or abstract are not open records, except for statistical purposes, other than by order of a court of competent jurisdiction: 1) Entries more than three years old; 2) After the period of suspension ceases, entries concerning a suspension under certain provisions; 3) Entries concerning suspension as the result of a person under 21 years old who has an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent, but under eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight within two hours after driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle. N.D.C.C. § 39-16-03.1.
In accident report forms, the opinion (as to fault or responsibility) of the investigating officer, except upon affirmation by a party to the accident that the investigating officer’s opinion is material to a determination of liability and a payment of a five dollar fee. N.D.C.C. § 39-08-13.
Department of transportation records relating to the financial condition of any party if that party has applied for prequalification as a bidder, is designated as a prequalified bidder, is an applicant under the disadvantaged business enterprise program, makes a submission in furtherance of being selected as a consultant, is selected as a consultant, or is subject to audit by the department. N.D.C.C. § 24-02-11.
All accident reports made by persons involved in accidents or by garages to the department of transportation or other state agencies. N.D.C.C. § 39-08-14(1).
All accident reports and supplemental information filed in connection with the administration of the laws relating to the deposit of security or proof of financial responsibility. N.D.C.C. § 39-08-14(2).
Reports of the county auditors to the department of transportation listing the names of blind persons for whom a property tax exemption is claimed, except that such reports may be introduced at hearings on license suspension or revocation. N.D.C.C. § 11-13-18.

Records of the Insurance Commissioner:

Nonpublic personal information of insured individuals, as well as names and individual identification data for all owners, purchasers, and insureds. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. § 26.1-02-27; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-02-28; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-36-12.4; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-18.1-23; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-33.4-05; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-33.4-06; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-17.1-24; ; N.D.C.C. § 26.1-50-03.
Any confidential documents or information received by the insurance commissioner from the national association of insurance commissioners or state, federal, or international regulatory or law enforcement officials. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-03-11.3.
Any documents, materials, or other information in the possession of the insurance commissioner relating to the report or investigation of suspected or actual fraudulent insurance acts. N.D.C.C. §§ 26.1-02.1-06, 26.1-02.1-07; see alsoN.D.C.C. § 26.1-33.4-13. As of 2021, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s active investigation records are exempt from disclosure “unless the investigation is closed and not referred for further investigation or adjudication.” N.D.C.C. § 50-24.8-12(6).
Proceedings, hearings, notices, correspondence, reports, records, and other information in the possession of the insurance commissioner or the department relating to the supervision of any insurer, unless the commissioner deems it is in the best interest of the public or the insurer to make the information public. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-06.2-04.
Documents, materials, and other information in the possession of the insurance commissioner that are an actuarial report, work papers, or actuarial opinion summary provided in support of the actuarial opinion, and any other material provided by the insurance company to the commissioner in connection with the actuarial report, work papers, or actuarial opinion summary. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-03-11.1.
Reports of financial examinations of insurers, for a period of fifteen days after the adoption of a report, so long as no court has stayed publication. N.D.C.C. 26.1-03-19.4(5)(a). Additionally, all working papers, recorded information, documents, and copies disclosed to the commissioner in the course of a financial examination are confidential. N.D.C.C. 26.1-03-19.4(6)(a).
For purposes of any examination other than financial examinations, all preliminary data, drafts, notes, impressions, memoranda, working papers, and work product generated by the insurance commissioner or the person making the examination are confidential until the commissioner releases a final report or upon a declaration by the commissioner of nonconfidentiality. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-03-19.4(6)(b).
Any information obtained by the insurance commissioner in the course of an examination relating to insurance holding company systems, unless the insurance company to which it pertains gives written consent or the commissioner, after notice and a hearing, determines that the interests of the policyholders, shareholders, or the public will be served by the publication of the information. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-10-07.
In delinquency proceedings brought by the insurance commissioner, all records of the insurer, other documents, and all insurance department files and court records, so far as they pertain to or are a part of the record of the proceedings, unless and until the court orders otherwise or unless the insurer requests that the matter be made public. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-06.1-10.
All examination reports, working papers, recorded information, documents, and copies obtained in the course of an examination made under the life settlements chapter or in the course of analysis or investigation by the insurance commissioner of the financial condition or market conduct of a licensee. N.D.C.C. 26.1-33.4-06(7)(b)
Any memorandum in support of an actuarial opinion of reserves, and any other material provided by an insurance company to the insurance commissioner in connection therewith. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-35-01.1(1)(d)(8).
Health maintenance organization enrollee clinical records available to the insurance commissioner for compliance with the quality assurance program, except upon written consent for disclosure by the enrollee or the enrollee’s authorized representative. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-18.1-06(5).
Any data or information pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, or health of any enrollee or applicant obtained by any health maintenance organization, as well as the information considered by a health care review committee and the records of their actions and related proceedings. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-18.1-23.
Annual financial statements filed by government self-insurance pools and all working papers of the insurance commissioner’s staff, until the report is final, unless the commissioner declares that the material or any party of the material is not confidential. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-23.1-04.
Information regarding the portion of the funds or liability reserves of a self-insured government pool established for the purposes of satisfying a specific claim or cause of action. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-23.1-06.
Risk-based capital reports and plans. N.D.C.C. §§ 26.1-03.1-08; 26.1-03.2-08.
Asset and agreement reports filed by insurers with the insurance commissioner. N.D.C.C. § 26.1-10.1-01.

Job Service/Unemployment Compensation Records:

Records of employers doing business in the state which are obtained by North Dakota job service in the administration of the unemployment compensation law. N.D.C.C. §§ 52-01-02, 03.

Workers Safety and Insurance Records:

Information contained in employers’ files and reports obtained by Workforce Safety and Insurance. N.D.C.C. § 65-04-15.
Information contained in the claims files and records of injured employees, except the claimant’s name, date of birth, injury date, employer name, type of injury, whether the claim is accepted, denied, or pending, and whether the claim is active or inactive. N.D.C.C. § 65-05-32.

Records of the Labor Commissioner:

Information furnished to the labor commissioner by public officers and employers relating to their respective offices or businesses. SeeN.D.C.C. § 34-05-03.

Records of the Tax Commissioner and Other Tax Materials:

Confidential information provided to the tax commissioner. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. § 57-02-11.2 (records and information provided by the owner or occupant of commercial property with regard to income and expenses of the property); N.D.C.C. § 57-39.2-23 (information obtained in the enforcement of the sales tax); N.D.C.C. § 57-05-11 (information obtained during assessment of railroad property); N.D.C.C. § 57-37.1-22 (estate tax returns); N.D.C.C. § 57-38-57 (income tax returns).
Any federal tax return or return information opened to inspection or disclosed by the United States secretary of the treasury to the state tax commissioner for the administration of the tax laws. N.D.C.C. § 57-01-14.

Department of Financial Institutions Records and Information:

Facts and information obtained by the commissioner or department of financial institutions or the department in the course of examinations, receiving reports, investigations, and receiving applications containing trade secrets, commercial, financial, personnel, medical, or examination report information. N.D.C.C. § 6-01-07.1.

Industrial Commission Records and Information:

Other pertinent information related to basic exploration data requested by the state geologist, for a period of one year, when requested by the operator (the time period may be further extended upon approval by the industrial commission). N.D.C.C. § 38-12-02(1)(b)(4).
Basic exploration data of coal submitted to the state geologist, for a period of two years (the time period may be extended for one-year periods by the state geologist, for a total period not to exceed ten years, unless it is demonstrated that the time period should be further extended to prevent possible resulting harm). N.D.C.C. § 38-12.1-04(1)(b).

85.Oil and gas well data reported to the industrial commission (if confidential treatment is requested in writing by those reporting the data), for a period not to exceed six months. N.D.C.C. 38-08-04(6).

Bank of North Dakota Records and Information:

Certain records of the Bank of North Dakota. SeeN.D.C.C. § 6-09-35.
Certain customer information held by the Bank of North Dakota (or other financial institution). SeeN.D.C.C. ch. 6-08.1.

Housing Finance Agency Records and Information:

The following records of the housing finance agency: 1) Personal or financial information of a participant in any of the housing finance agency’s programs, obtained directly or indirectly, except for routine credit inquiries or as required by court order; 2) Internal or interagency memorandums or letters of a personal nature which are not available by law to a party, except insofar as they are available in litigation with the agency; 3) Personal financial statements which the industrial commission requires of any housing finance agency employee or member of the housing finance agency’s advisory board. N.D.C.C. § 54-17-07.8

State Geologist Records and Information:

Geological and geophysical data obtained by the state geologist, when requested by the seller or donor, until such time as the seller or donor notifies the state geologist that confidentiality is no longer required. N.D.C.C. § 54-17.4-08.

Lignite Records and Information:

Lignite industry materials and data submitted to, or made or received by, the industrial commission, to the extent that the commission determines (following a request by a person or entity, which is also confidential) the material or data consist of trade secrets, or commercial, financial, or proprietary information of individuals or entities applying to or contracting with the commission or receiving commission services. N.D.C.C. § 54-17.5-06.

Public Service Commission Records and Information:

Public service commission reports of the stock of crude petroleum of any particular pipeline, except the aggregate amounts held by all the pipelines making reports and their aggregate storage capacity. N.D.C.C. § 49-19-02.
Specific information included in surface coal mining plans, upon request by the permit applicant and in the discretion of the public service commission, provided such information pertains only to the analysis of the chemical and physical properties of the coal (excepting information regarding such mineral or elemental contents which is potentially toxic in the environment), for a period not to exceed ten years. N.D.C.C. § 38-14.1-13.

Records of State Boards or Commissions Regulating Professions or Industries:

State chiropractic board of examiners information concerning licensing of chiropractic hospitals, except that information may be disclosed in a proceeding involving the question of licensure. N.D.C.C. § 23-17-09.
Communications to the board of medical examiners investigative panels, as well as their records (except financial records). N.D.C.C. § 43-17.1-08.
Information acquired by counselors licensed by the board of counselor examiners in rendering counseling services. N.D.C.C. § 43-47-09.
The contents of any document, paper, or record examined by a member, officer, agent, or employee of the board of barber examiners, or any information obtained in the course of his investigation, except as disclosure is required to carry out the barber statute. N.D.C.C. § 43-04-15.
Investigative files of the state board of pharmacy, until a complaint is filed or the board decides not to file a complaint. N.D.C.C. § 43-15-10(15).
All data and information, including client and juvenile records, acquired by the board of social work examiners in its investigations. N.D.C.C. § 43-41-10(6) and (7).
Examination or test questions, scoring keys, and other data used to administer any licensing, employment, academic, or certification examination or test, if the examination or test is to be used again in whole or in part, and records establishing examination or test procedures and instructions regarding the administration, grading, or evaluation of any examination or test, if disclosure may affect scoring outcomes. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.8.

Agricultural Records and Information:

Audited annual financial statements that must be filed with the department of agriculture by dairy license applicants who purchase milk from dairy producers. N.D.C.C. § 4-30-03.2.
Any information created, collected, or maintained by the milk marketing board, except the board may use the information in compiling and disseminating general statistical data. N.D.C.C. § 4.1-26-29.
Criminal history records listed in an application for an industrial hemp license provided to the agricultural commissioner. N.D.C.C. § 4.1-18-02.
Records pertaining to pesticide application, sales, purchases, and repackaging received by the agriculture commissioner in enforcing the North Dakota Pesticide Act of 1975, except that the commissioner may disclose information where required to enforce the Act. N.D.C.C. § 4-35-24(5).
Information created, collected, and maintained by the agricultural mediation service in the course of any mediation, except upon written consent of all parties to the mediation or by an order issued by a court upon a showing of good cause. N.D.C.C. § 6-09.10-10.
Registered pesticide information, when the agriculture commissioner determines it contains or relates to trade secrets, or to commercial or financial information. N.D.C.C. § 19-18-04.2.
Information gained by the agriculture commissioner through the use of the release that a dairy processor license applicant must file. N.D.C.C. § 4-30-02.1.

Secretary of State Records and Information:

Interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of State the answers thereto, except that the secretary may disclose facts or information obtained therefrom insofar as permitted by law or insofar as required for evidence in any criminal proceedings or in any other action by the state. N.D.C.C. §§ 10-19.1-148(2)(f) (corporations), 10-32.1-85(f) (LLCs), 10-33-141(2)(f) (nonprofit corporations), 10-35-32(2)(f) (publicly traded corporations), 10-36-09(2)(f) (nonprofit LLCs), 45-10.2-111(2)(f) (partnerships), 45-22-23(2)(f) (LLPs).
Information in the Secretary of State’s registry system regarding the execution of international wills, until the death of the maker and then only to any person who presents a death certificate or other satisfactory evidence of the testator’s death to the center. N.D.C.C. § 30.1-08.2-09.

State Auditor Records and Information:

Information obtained by the state auditor, including the contents of any return, report or other information examined or any listing made therefrom by the state auditor, except when otherwise directed by judicial order or as otherwise provided by law. N.D.C.C. § 54-10-25.
Working papers of the state auditor, including records kept by the auditor of the procedures applied, the tests performed, the information obtained, draft audit reports, and the pertinent conclusions reached in the engagement. N.D.C.C. § 54-10-26.Working papers may be, at the discretion of the auditor and unless otherwise prohibited by law, open records. N.D.C.C. § 54-10-26.The final, issued audit report is public information, as are the working papers of an issued audit report, subject to the auditor’s discretion to declare all or a portion of such work papers confidential. N.D.C.C. § 54-10-26. The declaration must state the reason for the confidentiality and the date when the working papers will be made public. N.D.C.C. § 54-10-26.

State Toxicologist Records and Information:

Results of toxicological or chemical testing or analysis made by the state toxicologist at the request of law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation. N.D.C.C. § 54-12-24.

Securities Commissioner Records and Information:

Securities commissioner records regarding the franchise investment law, where the commissioner withholds from public inspection any information the disclosure of which is, in the judgment of the commissioner, not necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors. N.D.C.C. § 51-19-17(4).
The information or documents obtained or prepared in the course of any investigation regarding the issuance and sale of securities, if the securities commissioner chooses to keep the information confidential, but confidential treatment is allowed only during an active and ongoing investigation. N.D.C.C. § 10-04-16.1(1)(c). If an investigation extends beyond six months, the commissioner shall, upon request, state in writing that the need for confidentiality still exists, the general reason why the need exists, and the date, as can best be determined at the time, when the need for confidentiality will cease. N.D.C.C. § 10-04-16.1(1)(c).

Department of Veterans Affairs Records and Information:

Records and papers pertaining or relating to veterans that are transmitted by the United States government to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in some cases. N.D.C.C. § 37-18-11.

State Historical Society Records and Information:

Information from the files of the State Historical Society containing data that specifically identifies the location of archaeological, historical, or paleontological sites in North Dakota, unless the director of the society is satisfied that the applicant has a reasonable need for the information contained in the files and professionally acceptable qualifications to assure that release of the information will not result in unnecessary destruction of the resource. N.D.C.C. § 55-02-07.1.

Vital Records:

Birth, death, and fetal death records, filings, data, or other information related to birth, death, and fetal death records, except as authorized. SeeN.D.C.C. § 23-02.1-27.

Judicial Conduct Commission Records and Information:

Before the filing and service of formal charges, all proceedings of the judicial conduct commission; after the filing and service of formal charges, all proceedings are public except incapacity proceedings. N.D.C.C. § 27-23-03(5); N.D. R. Jud. Conduct Comm. 6.
Before the filing and service of formal charges, all information relating to a complaint that has not been dismissed, unless the judicial conduct commission has determined there is a need to notify another person to protect that person or to notify a government agency to protect the public or the administration of justice, or upon waiver in writing by the judge. N.D.C.C. § 27-23-03(5); N.D. R. Jud. Conduct Comm. 6.
All information relating to a complaint that has been dismissed without formal charges being filed. N.D.C.C. § 27-23-03(5); N.D. R. Jud. Conduct Comm. 6.
Disciplinary counsel’s work product, judicial conduct commission deliberations, and records of the commission’s deliberations. N.D.C.C. § 27-23-03(5); N.D. R. Jud. Conduct Comm. 6.

Records of the Attorney General’s Office (Including State Fire Marshal):

Arson information received by the state fire marshal, any law enforcement officer, or any insurance company, until its release is required pursuant to a criminal or civil proceeding. N.D.C.C. § 18-01-05.1(7).
Testimony, correspondence, or other matter secured in an investigation by the state fire marshal. N.D.C.C. § 18-01-28.
The attorney general’s or state’s attorney’s investigation and proceedings of alleged violations of the statement of interests law for public officers and candidates, until a determination has been reached by the investigating officer that enough incriminating evidence exists to bring an action and such action is commenced in the appropriate district court. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-09-06.

For information regarding release of criminal history information by the bureau of criminal investigation, see N.D.C.C. § 12-60-16.6.

Law Enforcement Records and Information:

Active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7. Active investigations of the state fire marshal, fire departments, and rural fire protection entities are also confidential as long as the investigation is active. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-30.
Law enforcement records and files concerning children, except where the child is prosecuted as an adult, where the interests of national security require disclosure, or where the court otherwise orders disclosure in the interest of the child. N.D.C.C. § 27-20-52. Additionally, fingerprint files of children are confidential. SeeN.D.C.C. § 27-20-53(4).
The address, telephone number, or any identifying information that, if released, could reasonably be used to locate a victim or alleged victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or human trafficking contained in any record maintained by a law enforcement facility is exempt and may be redacted from the record before release. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.20.
Any telephone number and the home address of a juvenile court director or probation officer, an employee of a law enforcement agency, employee of a state or local correctional facility, and an employee of the department of corrections and rehabilitation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.3(1).
Records or other information that would reveal the identity, or endanger the life or physical well-being, of an undercover law enforcement officer. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.3(2).
Any record containing the work schedule of employees of a law enforcement agency. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.3(3).County Records: A report of death, an autopsy report, and any working papers, notes, images, pictures, photographs, or recordings of the medical county coroner in any form. N.D.C.C. § 11-19.1-11(4). 165.Municipality Records:131. Motor vehicle accident reports required by incorporated cities, towns, and other municipalities, except that a city department may disclose the identity of a person involved in an accident when such identity is unknown or when the individual denies presence at the accident. N.D.C.C. § 39-08-14.
Records of libraries that provide a library patron’s name or identification sufficient to identify a patron together with the subject about which the patron requested information (in the absence of a subpoena or court order requiring disclosure). N.D.C.C. § 40-38-12.

Education Records and Information:

Certain student records and medical records. See, e.g.,N.D.C.C. § 15-10-17(7) (granting the state higher board of education ability to adopt confidentiality rules for certain records); N.D.C.C. § 15.1-24-04 (records related to student’s medical treatment for chemical abuse); N.D.C.C. § 15.1-26-06 (results of general education development tests); N.D.C.C. § 15.1-34-10 (records regarding boarding home care provided to students with disabilities); see alsothe federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
Records of a school law enforcement unit regarding a student at a school. N.D.C.C. § 15.1-19-14.
Criminal history records provided to the education standards and practices board. N.D.C.C. § 15.1-13-14.
Consideration of the appointment or removal of any president, faculty head, professors, instructors, teachers, officers, and other employees of the institutions under the Board of Higher Education’s control, unless the individual involved requests that the meeting be open to other individuals or to the public. N.D.C.C. § 15-10-17(1).
Fundraising and donor records of the state board of higher education, university system, and affiliated nonprofit organizations. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.15.
Patient records at student health services and university system medical centers and clinics. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.16.

Public Employee Records and Information:

Any record of a public employee’s medical treatment or use of an employee assistance program. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1(1).
Personal and non-confidential information regarding a public employee contained in a personnel record or given to the state or a political subdivision in the course of employment is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1(2).
Personal information regarding a licensee maintained by an occupational or professional board, association, state agency, or commission created by law is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1(4).
Records and information pertaining to a public employee’s medical and dependent care reimbursement under the pretax benefits program. N.D.C.C. § 54-52.3-05.
All records relating to the retirement benefits of a member or beneficiary under the teacher, Highway Patrol member, and public employee retirement funds, as well as records under the uniform group insurance program. SeeN.D.C.C. § 15-39.1-30 (teachers); N.D.C.C. § 39-03.1-28 (highway patrol); N.D.C.C. § 54-52-26 (public employee); N.D.C.C. § 54-52.1-11 (uniform group insurance program).
The medical records and related data of the employees, retirees, and dependents obtained as a result of enrollment in the uniform group insurance program. N.D.C.C. § 54-52.1-12.

Child Fatality Review Panel Records:

All documentation and reports, except for an annual report, of the child fatality review panel. N.D.C.C. § 50-25.1-04.5.

Attorney Work Product:

Attorney work product, meaning a document or record that was prepared by an attorney representing a public entity, which reflects a mental impression, conclusion, litigation strategy, or legal theory of that attorney or the entity and was prepared exclusively for civil or criminal litigation, for adversarial administrative proceedings or in anticipation of reasonably predictable civil or criminal litigation or adversarial administrative proceedings. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1. Withholding a public record under the attorney work product doctrine is improper if the record is merely a simple factual narrative with no mental impressions. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2022-O-09; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2021-O-05.

Following the final completion of the civil or criminal litigation or the adversarial administrative proceeding, including the exhaustion of all appellate remedies, attorney work product must be made available for public disclosure by the public entity, unless another exception applies, or unless disclosure would have an adverse fiscal effect on the conduct or settlement of other pending or reasonably predictable proceedings, or unless the attorney work product reflects mental impressions, opinions, conclusions, or legal theories regarding potential liability of a public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1. In July 2023, the North Dakota Supreme Court held that the potential liability exception did not apply to documents requested from a state insurance reserve fund that related to state expenditures on litigation costs for a public condemnation action. Hagen v. N. Dakota Ins. Rsrv. Fund, 993 N.W.2d 519 (N.D. 2023).

Economic Development Records and Information:

Records and information pertaining to a prospective location of a business or industry, including the identity, nature, and location of the business or industry, when no previous public disclosure has been made by the business or industry of the interest or intent of the business or industry to locate in, relocate within, or expand within this state, or partner with a public entity to conduct research or to license a discovery or innovation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4. This exemption does not include records pertaining to the application for permits or licenses necessary to do business or to expand business operations within this state, except as otherwise provided by law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.
Trade secrets and proprietary, commercial, or financial information received from a person who is interested in or is applying for or receiving financing, technical assistance, or other forms of business assistance. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

Critical Incident Stress Management Team Records and Information:

All records and proceedings of a critical incident stress management team in connection with its critical incident stress debriefing activities (except that information, documents, or records otherwise available from original sources are not immune from discovery because they were presented during a critical incident stress debriefing). N.D.C.C. § 32-03-50.

Abandoned Property Records:

Documentation and working papers obtained or compiled by the administrator of the state abandoned property office in the course of conducting an audit for unclaimed property, but the administrator’s final, completed audit reports are open records. N.D.C.C. § 47-30.1-30.1.
Reports filed with the administrator of the state abandoned property office, until twenty-four months after the date payment or delivery is made. N.D.C.C. § 47-30.1-19.1.

Records of Ownership in Registered Public Obligations:

Records regarding ownership of or security interests in registered public obligations. N.D.C.C. § 21-03.1-09.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program Records:

Domestic violence or sexual assault program records. SeeN.D.C.C. § 14-07.1-18.
Private information concerning a minor received by a domestic violence organization. N.D.C.C. § 14-07.3-02. The counseling center must establish procedures to provide access by a parent, guardian, or custodian of a minor to private information concerning the minor, subject to the following: 1) The counseling center may deny parental access to private information upon the request of the minor; 2) Upon receipt of the request, the counseling center must determine if honoring the request to deny parental access would be in the best interest of the minor. N.D.C.C. § 14-07.3-03.

911 Records:

Unpublished names and telephone numbers generated by or provided to an emergency services communication system coordinator or public safety answering point are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(1). Published names and telephone numbers are exempt. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(2).
Records which reveal personal information or the identity, address, or telephone number of a person requesting emergency service or reporting an emergency are exempt and may be redacted before being released. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(3). Additionally, the medical condition of an individual, medical treatment provided to an individual, and the name of an individual who received medical treatment from a public entity during an emergency medical response is an exempt record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.22.
An audio recording of a request for emergency services or of a report of an emergency is an exempt record; however, upon request, a person may listen to the audio recording, but may not copy or record the audio. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(4). A person may also request a written transcript of the audio recording, which must be provided to the person within a reasonable time. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(4).

Computer Software Programs:

Any computer software program or component of a computer software program contracted, developed, or acquired by a public entity or state agency, institution, department, or board and for which the public entity or state agency, institution, department, or board acquires a license, copyright, or patent is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.5. The governor must grant the state entity approval before entering into these agreements, and the state can pursue claims of copyright infringement if necessary. Id.

Other Trade Secret, Proprietary, Commercial, and Financial Information:

Trade secret, proprietary, commercial, and financial information is confidential if it is of a privileged nature and it has not been previously publicly disclosed. SeeN.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4 for definitions.

Access to Financial Account Numbers:

Any credit, debit, or electronic fund transfer card or account number and any financial institution account number that a public entity, elected official, or appointed official uses or has available. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.9.

Lists of Minors:

Any record of a public entity that is a compilation of minors’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, or any combination thereof is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.13.

Personal and Financial Information in a Consumer Complaint:

Personal and financial information submitted to a state agency as part of a consumer complaint, or gathered as part of an investigation of a consumer complaint, is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.17.

Autopsy Images:

An autopsy photograph or other visual image or a video or audio recording of an autopsy. N.D.C.C. 44-04-18.18. However, a criminal justice agency has the discretion to view or disclose autopsy images for reasons related to investigations or prosecutions. Additionally, medical examiners, coroners, or doctors can view or disclose an autopsy photo for educational purposes. The family of the decedent can obtain the autopsy image if they obtain a court order to do so. North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 38, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf.

Individual Recipients of Economic Assistance or Benefits:

Records concerning individual applicants or recipients of economic assistance or support administered under the division of community services or a community action agency, including benefits or services, are exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.19. The exempt records include applications, income or eligibility verification, assessments, or other personal, medical, or financial data. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.19.

Electronic Mail Addresses and Telephone Numbers:

The e-mail address or telephone number of an individual which is provided for the purpose of communicating with a public entity is an exempt record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.21. The provision may not be used to shield the identity of the individual communicating with the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.21.

Library, Archive, and Museum Collections:

A public library, archive, or museum may designate a donated record as an exempt record if the donor of the record requests as a condition of the donation that the record not be released to the public for a specific period of time, which may not exceed twenty years beyond the death of the donor. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.23.

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B. Other statutory exclusions

Although government officials have attempted to read exclusions into the open records law based upon statutes that do not contain explicit exceptions, the North Dakota Supreme Court has resisted this effort. In Hovet v. Hebron Public School District, the court held “an exception to the open-records law may not be implied.” 419 N.W.2d 189, 191 (N.D. 1988). In explaining this holding, the court stated:

[F]or an exception to the open-records law to exist under out constitutional and statutory provisions, it must be specific, i.e., the Legislature must directly address the status of the record in question, for a specific exception, by the plain terms of [the constitutional and statutory] provisions, may not be implied.

Id.

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C. Court-derived exclusions, common law prohibitions, recognized privileges against disclosure

There do not appear to be any required court-derived exclusions or common-law exceptions to the open records law. The North Dakota Supreme Court has held, “for an exception to the open-records law to exist under our constitutional and statutory provisions, it must be specific, i.e., the Legislature must directly address the status of the record in question, for a specific exception, by the plain terms of those provisions, may not be implied.” Hovet v. Hebron Pub. Sch. Dist., 419 N.W.2d 189, 191 (N.D. 1988).

In Northern States Power Company v. North Dakota Public Service Commission, the Supreme Court also held that privileges outlined in the North Dakota Rules of Evidence, incorporated into state agency proceedings, do not automatically create open records law exceptions for information provided to state agencies. See N. States Power Co. v. N.D. Pub. Serv. Comm’n, 502 N.W.2d 240, 244-45 (N.D. 1993).

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D. Protective orders and government agreements to keep records confidential

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E. Interaction between federal and state law

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1. HIPAA

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2. DPPA

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3. FERPA

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4. Other

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F. Segregability requirements

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G. Agency obligation to identify basis of redaction or withholding

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III. Record categories - open or closed

North Dakota law states that all public records are open records unless there is a specific statutory exception.

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A. Autopsy and coroners reports

An autopsy report and any working papers and notes relating to an autopsy report are confidential and may be disclosed only as permitted. See N.D.C.C. § 23-01-05.5. The report of death becomes a public record eight days after it is finalized. N.D.C.C. § 23-01-05.5; see North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 38, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf. However, if the autopsy is still part of an active criminal investigation matter, officials may continue to properly withhold the death report. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-01.

A report of death, an autopsy report, and any working papers, notes, images, pictures, photographs, or recordings of the medical county coroner in any form are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 11-19-11.

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B. Administrative enforcement records (e.g., worker safety and health inspections, or accident investigations)

Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined in Section II(A)(2) above.

Additionally, concerning criminal investigations, the open records statute provides:

Active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information are not subject to section 44-04-18 and section 6 of article XI of the Constitution of North Dakota. A criminal justice agency shall maintain a list of all files containing active criminal intelligence and investigative information which have been in existence for more than one year. With respect to each file, the list must contain the file’s number or other identifying characteristic and the date the file was established. The list required under this subsection is subject to section 44-04-18. Personal information of any person contained in an active or nonactive file is an exempt record as defined in subsection 5 of section 44-04-17.1.
“Criminal intelligence and investigative information” does not include:

a. Arrestee description, including name, date of birth, address, race, sex, physical description, and occupation of arrestee.

b. Facts concerning the arrest, including the cause of arrest and the name of the arresting officer.

c. Conviction information, including the name of any person convicted of a criminal offense.

d. Disposition of all warrants, including orders signed by a judge of any court commanding a law enforcement officer to arrest a particular person.

e. A chronological list of incidents, including initial offense report information showing the offense, date, time, general location, officer, and a brief summary of what occurred.

f. A crime summary, including a departmental summary of crimes reported and public calls for service by classification, nature, and number.

g. Radio log, including a chronological listing of the calls dispatched.

h. General registers, including jail booking information.

i. Arrestee photograph, if release will not adversely affect a criminal investigation.

3. “Criminal intelligence information” means information with respect to an identifiable person or group of persons collected by a criminal justice agency in an effort to anticipate, prevent, or monitor possible criminal activity. Criminal intelligence information must be considered “active” as long as it is related to intelligence gathering conducted with a reasonable good-faith belief it will lead to detection of ongoing or reasonably anticipated criminal activities. Criminal intelligence information also includes training materials and information obtained by a criminal justice agency regarding prospective criminal activities which impact officer safety until the information is publicly disclosed.

4. “Criminal investigative information” means information with respect to an identifiable person or group of persons compiled by a criminal justice agency in the course of conducting a criminal investigation of a specific act or omission, including information derived from laboratory tests, reports of investigators or informants, or any type of surveillance. Criminal investigative information must be considered “active” as long as it is related to an ongoing investigation that is continuing with a reasonable good-faith anticipation of securing an arrest or prosecution in the foreseeable future.

5. “Criminal justice agency” means any law enforcement agency or prosecutor. The term also includes any other unit of government charged by law with criminal law enforcement duties or having custody of criminal intelligence or investigative information for the purpose of assisting law enforcement agencies in the conduct of active criminal investigations or prosecutions.

6. “Personal information” means a person’s medical records; motor vehicle operator’s identification number; social security number; any credit, debit, or electronic fund transfer card number; and any financial account numbers.

7. A computerized index created by a criminal justice agency of names included in criminal files, whether active or inactive, is an exempt record.

8. Crime scene images of a victim of a homicide or sex crime or any image of a minor victim of any crime is an exempt record as defined in subsection 5 of section 44-04-17.1. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7.

9. Images “of a victim of a fire” qualify as exempt records. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-30.

The exception applies only to active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information. Certain information concerning a closed investigation may be subject to other exceptions, however.

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C. Bank records

Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined above.

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D. Budgets

Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined above.

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E. Business records, financial data, trade secrets

Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined in Section II(A)(2) above.
Additionally, the open records statute provides:

1. Trade secret, proprietary, commercial, and financial information is confidential if it is of a privileged nature and it has not been previously publicly disclosed.

2. Under this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

a. “Commercial information” means information pertaining to buying or selling of goods and services that has not been previously publicly disclosed and that if the information were to be disclosed would impair the public entity’s future ability to obtain necessary information or would cause substantial competitive injury to the person from which the information was obtained.

b. “Financial information” means information pertaining to monetary resources of a person that has not been previously publicly disclosed and that if the information were to be disclosed would impair the public entity’s future ability to obtain necessary information or would cause substantial competitive injury to the person from which the information was obtained.

c. “Proprietary information” includes:

(1) Information shared between a sponsor of research or a potential sponsor of research and a public entity conducting or negotiating an agreement for the research.

(2) Information received from a private business that has entered or is negotiating an agreement with a public entity to conduct research or manufacture or create a product for potential commercialization.

(3) A discovery or innovation generated by the research information, technical information, financial information, or marketing information acquired under activities described under paragraph 1 or 2.

(4) A document specifically and directly related to the licensing or commercialization resulting from activities described under paragraph 1, 2, or 6.

(5) Technical, financial, or marketing records that are received by a public entity, which are owned or controlled by the submitting person, are intended to be and are treated by the submitting person as private, and the disclosure of which would cause harm to the submitting person’s business.

(6) A discovery or innovation produced by the public entity that an employee or the entity intends to commercialize.

(7) A computer software program and components of a computer software program that are subject to a copyright or a patent and any formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process supplied to a public entity that is the subject of efforts by the supplying person to maintain its secrecy and that may derive independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons that might obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.

(8) A discovery or innovation that is subject to a patent or a copyright, and any formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, combination of devices, method, technique, technical know-how or process that is for use, or is used, in the operation of a business and is supplied to or prepared by a public entity that is the subject of efforts by the supplying or preparing person to maintain its secrecy and provides the preparing person an advantage or an opportunity to obtain an advantage over those who do not know or use it or that may derive independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, a person that might obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.

d. “Trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, technical know-how, or process, that:

(1) Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons that can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and

(2) Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain the secrecy of the information.

3. This section does not limit or otherwise affect a record pertaining to any rule of the state department of health or to any record pertaining to the application for a permit or license necessary to do business or to expand business operations within this state, except as otherwise provided by law.

4. This section does not limit the release or use of records obtained in an investigation by the attorney general or other law enforcement official.

5. Unless made confidential under subsection 1, the following economic development records and information are exempt:

a. Records and information pertaining to a prospective location of a business or industry, including the identity, nature, and location of the business or industry, when no previous public disclosure has been made by the business or industry of the interest or intent of the business or industry to locate in, relocate within, expand within this state, or partner with a public entity to conduct research or to license a discovery or innovation. This exemption does not include records pertaining to the application for permits or licenses necessary to do business or to expand business operations within this state, except as otherwise provided by law.

b. Trade secrets and proprietary, commercial, or financial information received from a person that is interested in applying for or receiving financing, technical assistance, or other forms of business assistance.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

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F. Contracts, proposals and bids

Bids or proposals received by a public entity in response to a request for proposals by the public entity are exempt until all of the proposals have been received and opened by the public entity or until all oral presentations regarding the proposals, if any, have been heard by the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4. Records included with any bid or proposal naming and generally describing the entity submitting the proposal are open. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

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G. Collective bargaining records

A governing body may hold an executive session to discuss negotiating strategy or provide negotiating instructions to its attorney or other negotiator regarding litigation, adversarial administrative proceedings, or contracts, which are currently being negotiated or for which negotiation is reasonably likely to occur in the immediate future. N.D.C.C. 44-04-19.1(9). The executive session may be held only when an open meeting would have an adverse fiscal effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public entity. N.D.C.C. 44-04-19.1(9).

All meetings of the governing body of a public entity that are not open to the public must be recorded electronically or on audio or videotape. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5). The recording may be disclosed publicly only upon majority vote of the governing body, unless the executive session was required to be confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5).

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H. Economic development records

Unless confidential because they contain trade secret, proprietary, commercial, or financial information that is of a privileged nature and has not been previously disclosed, the following economic development records are exempt: 1) Records and information pertaining to a prospective location of a business or industry, including the identity, nature, and location of the business or industry, when no previous public disclosure has been made by the business or industry of its interest or intent to locate, relocate, or expand within the state, or partner with a public entity to conduct research or to license a discovery or innovation (this exemption does not include records pertaining to the application for permits or licenses necessary to do business or to expand business operations within the state, except as otherwise provided by law); and 2) Trade secrets and proprietary, commercial, or financial information received from a person who is interested in applying for or receiving financing, technical assistance, or other forms of business assistance. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4(5).

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I. Election Records

North Dakota is the only state without voter registration.

A central voter file and pollbooks are maintained by the secretary of state and county auditors. County auditors must generate a pollbook for each precinct in the county from the central voter file by the day before an election. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-02-13. With the exception of a “secured active” record and the voter’s birth date and identification number, which are exempt records, the precinct pollbooks are open records. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-02-13. A secured active record indicates an individual who is protected by a protection order or disorderly conduct restraining order. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-02-07.

A voter list or a report generated from the central voter file may be made available to a candidate, political party, or a political committee for election related-purposes, but may not be sold or distributed for non-election-related purposes. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-02-15. The information available to the candidate, political party, or political committee includes the name, addresses, unique identifier, location, and four years of voting history of an individual. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-02-15. A voter’s birth date and state identification number is exempt, as is a secured active record. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-02-15.

After the polls are closed, the inspector of elections and the judges must immediately generate the canvass report from the electronic voting system. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-15-02. The ballots counted by the machine must be equal in number with the names on the poll clerks’ lists. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-15-02. The canvass must continue without adjournment until completed and must be open to the public. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-15-02.

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J. Emergency Medical Services records

Unpublished names and telephone numbers generated by or provided to an emergency services communication system coordinator or public safety answering point are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(1). Published names and telephone numbers are exempt. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(2).

Records which reveal personal information or the identity, address, or telephone number of a person requesting emergency service or reporting an emergency are exempt and may be redacted before being released. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(3). Additionally, the medical condition of an individual, medical treatment provided to an individual, and the name of an individual who received medical treatment from a public entity during an emergency medical response is an exempt record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.22.

An audio recording of a request for emergency services or of a report of an emergency is an exempt record; however, upon request, a person may listen to the audio recording, but may not copy or record the audio. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(4). A person may also request a written transcript of the audio recording, which must be provided to the person within a reasonable time. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07(4).

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K. Gun permits

Information collected from an applicant for a license to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon concealed is confidential. N.D.C.C. § 62.1-04-03(8).

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L. Homeland security and anti-terrorism measures

Any plans and only those portions of the records, information, surveys, communications, and consultations used to produce the plans relating to the protection of the public or public officials against threats of violence or other harm are exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-25.

Additionally, N.D.C.C. § 44-04-24 provides:

1. A security system plan kept by a public entity is exempt from the provisions of section 44-04-18 and section 6 of article XI of the Constitution of North Dakota.

2. As used in this section:

a. “Critical infrastructure” means public buildings, systems, including telecommunications centers and computers, power generation plants, dams, bridges, and similar key resources, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the state that the incapacity or destruction of these systems would have a debilitating impact on security, state economic security, state public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.

b. “Security system plan” includes all records, information, photographs, audio and visual presentations, schematic diagrams, surveys, recommendations, communications, or consultations or portions of any such plan relating directly to the physical or electronic security of a public facility, or any critical infrastructure, whether owned by or leased to the state or any of its political subdivisions, or any privately owned or leased critical infrastructure if the plan or a portion of the plan is in the possession of a public entity; threat assessments; vulnerability and capability assessments conducted by a public entity, or any private entity; threat response plans; and emergency evacuation plans.

3. This exemption applies to security system plans received by a public entity before, on, or after March 20, 2003.

4. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit disclosure required for necessary construction, renovation, or remodeling work on a public building. Disclosure under this subsection does not constitute public disclosure.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-24.

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M. Hospital reports

Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined in Section II(A)(2) above.

The state legislature in 2021 significantly expanded privacy protections for medical information that the state government possesses. “Unless otherwise provided by law, a medical record or a record containing medical information in the possession of a public entity is an exempt record.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.32. Generally, disclosure of protected health information or personal medical records is prohibited. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. ch. 23-01.3 (broadly prohibiting release of protected health information).

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N. Personnel records

Personnel records, including information regarding the salary and job performance of an employee, are generally open to the public, according to the attorney general.
Any record of a public employee’s medical treatment or use of an employee assistance program is confidential and must not be included in the employee’s personnel record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1.

Personal information is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1. Personal information includes a person’s home address; home telephone number or personal cell phone number; photograph; medical information; motor vehicle operator's identification number; public employee identification number; payroll deduction information; the name, address, telephone number, and date of birth of any dependent or emergency contact; any credit, debit, or electronic fund transfer card number; and any account number at a bank or other financial institution. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1. Nonconfidential information contained in a personnel record of an employee of a public entity is also exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1.

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1. Salary

Generally open.

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2. Disciplinary records

Generally open.

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3. Applications

Generally open. See Forum Publ’g Co. v. City of Fargo, 391 N.W.2d 169 (N.D. 1986). Employment applications submitted to public entities, plus any records related to those applications that contain identifying information, are exempt from disclosure. 2021 Legislative Assembly, HB 1349; N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.27. However, the applications of three finalists for roles are available for disclosure. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.27; North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 20, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf. If a public official timely corrects the misapplication of N.D.C.C. §44-04-18.27, no further remedial action is necessary.

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4. Personally identifying information

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5. Expense reports

The open records statute does not address expense reports contained in personnel records

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6. Evaluations/performance reviews

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7. Complaints filed against employees

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8. Other

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O. Police records

Please see the discussion of rules for active investigations, outlined in Section IV(B)(1) above.

Additionally, as a summary, active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information is confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7. Law enforcement records and files concerning children, except where the child is prosecuted as an adult, where the interests of national security require disclosure, or where the court otherwise orders disclosure in the interest of the child, are also confidential. N.D.C.C. § 27-20-52. Fingerprint files of children are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 27-20-53. Finally, the address, telephone number, or any identifying information that, if released, could reasonably be used to locate a victim or alleged victim of domestic violence contained in any record maintained by a law enforcement facility is exempt and may be redacted from the record before release. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.20.

The following records and information are generally open:

Arrestee description, including name, date of birth, address, race, sex, physical description, and occupation of arrestee.
Facts concerning the arrest, including the cause of arrest and the name of the arresting officer.
Conviction information, including the name of any person convicted of a criminal offense.
Disposition of all warrants, including orders signed by a judge of any court commanding a law enforcement officer to arrest a particular person.
A chronological list of incidents, including initial offense report information showing the offense, date, time, general location, officer, and a brief summary of what occurred.
A crime summary, including a departmental summary of crimes reported and public calls for service by classification, nature, and number.
Radio log, including a chronological listing of the calls dispatched.
General registers, including jail booking information.
Arrestee photograph, if release will not adversely affect a criminal investigation.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7(2).

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1. Accident reports

Generally open, except for that portion containing an investigating officer’s opinion. See N.D.C.C. § 39-08-13. However, as of 2021, a minor’s name, driver’s license number, and personal phone number are exempt from disclosure, except to other people involved in the accident or the insurers involved in the relevant claim. N.D.C.C. § 39-08-13(5).

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2. Police blotter

Generally open. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7(2); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 79-201.

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3. 911 tapes

Please see the discussion of 911 records, outlined in Section II(A)(2) above.

An audio recording of a request for emergency services or of a report of an emergency is an exempt record; however, upon request, a person may listen to the audio recording, but may not copy or record the audio. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07. A person may also request a written transcript of the audio recording, which must be provided to the person within a reasonable time. N.D.C.C. § 57-40.6-07. Some confidential information may be redacted from this transcript. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2023-O-02.

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4. Investigatory records

Please see the discussion of rules for active and closed investigations.

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5. Arrest records

Generally open. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7(2).

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6. Compilations of criminal histories

Generally open. See N.D.C.C. § 12-60-16.2.

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7. Victims

If children or victims of domestic violence, generally closed. Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions.

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8. Confessions

Not addressed.

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9. Confidential informants

Any information that would identify or provide a means of identifying a confidential informant, if the identity of the informant is not otherwise publicly known, is confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.3(4).

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10. Police techniques

Generally closed. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7.

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11. Mugshots

Generally open. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.7(2).

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12. Sex offender records

Generally open. See N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-15. Relevant and necessary conviction and registration information must be disclosed to the public if the individual is a moderate or high risk and the disclosure is necessary for public protection. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-15(13). Upon request, law enforcement agencies may release conviction and registration information regarding low-risk, moderate-risk, or high-risk offenders. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-15(13).

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13. Emergency medical services records

Please see the discussion of 911 records.

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14. Police video (e.g, body camera footage, dashcam videos)

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15. Biometric data (e.g., fingerprints)

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16. Arrest/search warrants and supporting affidavits

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17. Physical evidence

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P. Prison, parole and probation reports

The case history records of the department of corrections and rehabilitation are exempt records. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(1). Upon application to the district court, with service of the application on the department of corrections and rehabilitation and opportunity for the department to submit a written response, the court may order the inspection of a case history record, unless there is a showing that a proper and legitimate reason exists for denying inspection of the case history record. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(1). If the court issues an order allowing inspection, the court must allow the department of corrections and rehabilitation to remove all identifying information that may create a risk of harm to property or to any person. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(1).

“Case history record” does not include medical, psychological, and treatment records and legal files. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(1). The term includes inmate disciplinary proceedings, administrative and disciplinary segregation placements, institutional and criminal investigation reports, supervision histories, job placements, education programs, inmate financial accounts, and protective management cases.

Records with respect to a person’s identity, location, legal files except records under court seal, criminal convictions, or projected date of release, except for the records of a person who is under protective management, are open records. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(4). In 2020, the North Dakota Supreme Court held that the state has the right to appeal orders sealing criminal records. State v. M.J.W., 947 N.W.2d 906, 908 (N.D. 2020); see also N.D.C.C. § 29-28-07(4).

The parole board may permit the inspection of a person’s pre-parole report, or parts of the report, prepared for the parole board. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(7).

The department of corrections and rehabilitation must maintain the confidentiality of witness protection program records and legal files under seal. N.D.C.C. § 12-47-36(9).

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Q. Professional licensing records

Personal information regarding a licensee maintained by an occupational or professional board, association, state agency, or commission created by law is exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1(4).

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R. Public utility records

Generally open, unless a specific exception applies. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. § 49-19-02 (Public Service Commission reports of the stock of crude petroleum of any particular pipeline are not public).

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S. Real estate appraisals, negotiations

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1. Appraisals

Generally open. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2002-L-41 (2002).

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2. Negotiations

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3. Transactions

Not addressed.

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4. Deeds, liens, foreclosures, title history

Generally open.

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5. Zoning records

Generally open. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2004-O-05 (2004).

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T. School and university records

Generally restricted under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which is a specific exception to the open records law.

Please see the discussion of education records and information exemptions. Records of a school law enforcement unit regarding a student at a school are also confidential. N.D.C.C. § 15.1-19-14.

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1. Athletic records

There are no applicable statutory exemptions.

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2. Trustee records

Fundraising and donor records of the state board of higher education, university system, and affiliated nonprofit organizations are exempt. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.15.

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3. Student records

Student records and medical records are generally confidential. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. § 15-10-17(7); N.D.C.C. § 15.1-24-04; N.D.C.C. § 15.1-26-06; N.D.C.C. § 15.1-34-10; see also the federal Family Educational rights and Privacy Act.

Records of a school law enforcement unit regarding a student at a school are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 15.1-19-14.

Patient records at student health services and university system clinics are confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.16.

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4. School foundation/fundraising/donor records

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5. Research material or publications

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6. Other

Any record of a public employee’s medical treatment or use of an employee assistance program is confidential and must not be included in the employee’s personnel record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.1.

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U. State guard records

Records and papers pertaining or relating to veterans that are transmitted by the United States government to the Department of Veterans Affairs are in some cases exempt. See N.D.C.C. § 37-18-11.

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V. Tax records

Confidential information provided to the tax commissioner is exempt. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. § 57-02-11.2 (records and information provided by the owner or occupant of commercial property with regard to income and expenses of the property); N.D.C.C. § 57-39.2-23 (information obtained in the enforcement of the sales tax); N.D.C.C. § 57-05-11 (information obtained during assessment of railroad property); N.D.C.C. § 57-37.1-22 (estate tax returns); N.D.C.C. § 57-38-57 (income tax returns).

Any federal tax return or return information opened to inspection or disclosed by the United States secretary of the treasury to the state tax commissioner for the administration of the tax laws is also exempt. N.D.C.C. § 57-01-14.

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W. Vital Statistics

Birth, death, and fetal death records, filings, data, or other information related to birth, death, and fetal death records, except as authorized, are confidential. See N.D.C.C. § 23-02.1-27.

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1. Birth certificates

Birth records, filings, data, and other information related to birth, except as authorized, are confidential. See N.D.C.C. § 23-02.1-27.

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2. Marriage and divorce

Generally open.

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3. Death certificates

Death and fetal death records, filings, data, and other information related to death and fetal death records, except as authorized, are confidential. See N.D.C.C. § 23-02.1-27.

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4. Infectious disease and health epidemics

To protect the integrity of disease control records, to ensure their proper use, and to ensure efficient and proper administration of the department of health’s disease control function, it is unlawful for any person to permit inspection of or to disclose information contained in disease control records, including results of laboratory tests, or to copy or issue a copy of all or part of any such records. N.D.C.C. § 23-07-20.1.

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IV. Procedure for obtaining records

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A. How to start

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1. Who receives a request?

Any official of any agency can be asked for public records. It is worth noting many older records are maintained by the records management program of the state information technology department. See N.D.C.C. Ch. 54-46. Inquiries for records that are no longer available through the relevant agency should be directed to this office. The records management program can be reached at (701) 328-3585. The state records administrator and his or her agents and employees are subject to the same restrictions and penalties regarding the dissemination of information as are the personnel of the agency involved. N.D.C.C. 54-46-14.

Except as otherwise provided by law, all records of a public entity are public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours. “Reasonable office hours” includes all regular office hours of a public entity. If a public entity does not have regular office hours, the name and telephone number of a contact person authorized to provide access to the public entity’s records must be posted on the door of the office of the public entity, if any. Otherwise, the information regarding the contact person must be filed with the appropriate designee. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(1).

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2. Does the law cover oral requests?

Yes. The North Dakota open records law provides, “[e]xcept as otherwise specifically provided by law, all records of a public entity are public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(1) (emphasis added). A request need not be made in person or in writing, and the copy must be mailed upon request. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18(2).

There is no need for advanced arrangements to inspect and copy under North Dakota law. Of course, calling in advance may facilitate the process of inspecting records.

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review an alleged violation of the open records law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The request must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general must then issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation, unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

In any opinion issued, the attorney general must base the opinion on the facts given by the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

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3. Required contents of a written request

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4. Can the requester choose a format for receiving records?

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5. Availability of expedited processing

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B. How long to wait

Once a request is made, a public entity is required to respond within a reasonable time. The attorney general has stated that access to an open record usually must be granted within a fairly short period of time after a request, because public officials and employees generally should know what records under their control must be disclosed. Similarly, when there is doubt whether a record must be disclosed, a public official or employee may take a reasonable amount of time to determine whether an exemption applies. The attorney general has said the amount of time within which the public entity must respond to a request is usually measured in hours or a few days rather than several days or weeks. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 98-O-22 (1998).

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1. Statutory, regulatory or court-set time limits for agency response

The attorney general has said the amount of time within which the public entity must respond to a request is usually measured in hours or a few days rather than several days or weeks. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 98-O-22 (1998).

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2. Informal telephone inquiry as to status

The open records statute does not address an informal telephone inquiry as to status, but it is certainly not prohibited.

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3. Is delay recognized as a denial for appeal purposes?

The open records statute does not address whether a delay is recognized as a denial for appeal purposes.

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4. Any other recourse to encourage a response

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C. Administrative appeal

North Dakota law lays out the administrative appeal procedure:

44-04-21.1. Administrative review procedure.

1. Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review a written denial of a request for records under section 44-04-18, a denial of access to a meeting under section 44-04 19, or other alleged violation of section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 by any public entity other than the legislative assembly or any committee thereof. A request made under this section must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the notice required by section 44-04-20, must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. In preparing an opinion under this section, the attorney general has discretion to obtain and review a recording made under section 44-04-19.2. The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. Any such information may not be released by the attorney general and may be returned to the provider of the information. The attorney general shall issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. If the request pertains to a public entity as defined in subdivision c of subsection 12 of section 44-04 17.1, the opinion must be issued to the public entity providing the public funds. In any opinion issued under this section, the attorney general shall base the opinion on the facts given by the public entity.

2. If the attorney general issues a written opinion concluding that a violation has occurred, the public entity has seven days after the opinion is issued, regardless of whether a civil action is filed under section 44-04-21.2, to disclose the record, to issue a notice of a meeting that will be held within a reasonable time to correct the violation, or to take steps to correct any other violation. If the public entity fails to take the required action within the seven-day period and the person requesting the opinion prevails in a civil action brought under section 44-04-21.2, the person must be awarded costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the action and on appeal. The consequences for failing to comply with an attorney general’s opinion issued under this section will be the same as for other attorney general’s opinions, including potential personal liability for the person or persons responsible for the noncompliance.

3. If a state-level public entity as defined in subdivision a of subsection 12 of section 44-04-17.1 does not comply in full with the attorney general’s opinion, and a civil action is brought under section 44-04-21.2 or is reasonably predictable, the entity, at its sole cost and expense, shall retain separate counsel who has been approved and appointed by the attorney general as a special assistant attorney general to represent the entity in that action.

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1. Time limit to file an appeal

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2. To whom is an appeal directed?

The request for review is directed to the state attorney general. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1.

While the initial request should be made to the individual agency from whom the record is sought, the review of the denial of the request is made to the state attorney general. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1.

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review a written denial of a request for records, a denial of access to a meeting, or other alleged violation of the open records or open meetings laws by any public entity other than the legislative assembly or any committee thereof. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1.

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3. Fee issues

If the attorney general issues a written opinion concluding that a violation has occurred, the public entity fails to take required action within a seven-day period, and the person who requested the opinion prevails in a civil action brought under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2, the requestor must be awarded costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the action and on appeal.

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4. Contents of appeal

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5. Waiting for a response

In preparing an opinion, the attorney general has discretion to obtain and review a recording made under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1.The attorney general may also request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1. The attorney general must issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1.

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6. Subsequent remedies

North Dakota law also provides for court action, as discussed below.

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D. Additional dispute resolution procedures

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1. Attorney General

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2. Ombudsperson

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3. Other

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E. Court action

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1. Who may sue?

An “interested person or entity” may sue. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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2. Priority

The remedies provided are not available if a violation has been corrected before a civil action is filed and no person has been prejudiced or harmed by the delay. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(3). An interested person or entity may not file a civil action seeking attorney’s fees or damages, or both, until at least three working days after providing notice of the alleged violation to the chief administrative officer for the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(3). This provision does not apply if the attorney general has found under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1, on a prior occasion, that the public entity has violated the open records or meetings laws. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(3).

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3. Pro se

Pro se suits are not advisable in most instances. In many cases, the State Broadcasters Association or the North Dakota Newspaper Association will assist with either an amicus curiae brief or with the financing of the suit.

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4. Issues the court will address

The court may address violations of N.D.C.C. §§ 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21.

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a. Denial

The court may address alleged denials. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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b. Fees for records

The court may address unlawful fees charged for records. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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c. Delays

The court may address unreasonable delays. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1). If an official takes longer than expected to fulfill a public records request, circumstances such as holiday closures, staffing, public health crises, and the time of the requester’s payment may be considered to determine whether that delay is reasonable. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2023-O-06; N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2021-O-09. However, delays are heavily scrutinized. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2021-O-09. The North Dakota Attorney’s General office considers a three-week delay to provide 334 pages of material unreasonable. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2021-O-09. Additionally, waiting two months to respond to a public records request constitutes an unreasonable delay. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-07.

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d. Patterns for future access (declaratory judgment)

If a court finds a violation, the court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, a writ of prohibition or mandamus, costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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5. Pleading format

The complaint must be accompanied by a dated, written request for the requested record. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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6. Time limit for filing suit

An action must be commenced within sixty days of the date the person knew or should have known of the violation or within thirty days of issuance of an attorney general’s opinion on the alleged violation, whichever is later. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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7. What court?

Venue for an action is in the county where the entity has its principal office or, if the entity does not have a principal office within the state, in Burleigh County. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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8. Burden of proof

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9. Judicial remedies available

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10. Litigation expenses

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a. Attorney fees

The court may award reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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b. Court and litigation costs

The court may award costs and disbursements against the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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11. Fines

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12. Other penalties

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13. Settlement, pros and cons

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F. Appealing initial court decisions

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1. Appeal routes

Any appeal of a decision of the district court would be taken directly to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

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2. Time limits for filing appeals

In a civil case, the notice of appeal must be filed with the clerk of the district court within sixty days of the date of service of notice of entry of the judgment or order.

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3. Contact of interested amici

In many cases, the State Broadcasters Association or the North Dakota Newspaper Association will assist with either an amicus curiae brief or with the financing of the suit.

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G. Addressing government suits against disclosure

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Open Meetings

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I. Statute - basic application

North Dakota law provides that all public meetings are open meetings unless there is a specific statutory exemption of a particular type of meeting. The North Dakota Constitution provides:

Unless otherwise provided by law, all meetings of public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state or any political subdivision of the state, or organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, shall be open to the public.

North Dakota Constitution, Article XI, Section 5.

The North Dakota open meetings law provides, “Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all meetings of a public entity must be open to the public.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically provided by law, all votes of whatever kind taken at any public meeting must be open, public votes, and all nonprocedural votes must be recorded roll call votes, with the votes of each member being made public at the open meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21. Minutes must be kept of all open meetings and are open records. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.

The law is simple: Unless there is a specific exemption, meetings are open to the public.

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A. Who may attend?

The law contains no restrictions on who may attend public meetings. However, the attorney general has expressed doubt that a non-resident could invoke the open meetings law against a state agency. See Guy and McDonald, Government in the Sunshine: The Status of Open Meetings and Open Records Laws in North Dakota, 53 N.D. L. Rev. 51, 66 (1976).

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B. What governments are subject to the law?

State, county, municipal, township, school board, and all other levels of state government are subject to the open meetings law. A specific statutory provision states that all meetings of the governing body of a municipality must be open to the public, and a journal of its proceedings kept. N.D.C.C. § 40-06-02.

Unless an exception applies, all meetings of a public entity must be open to the public. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19. A “public entity” is defined as all:

a. Public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state, including any entity created or recognized by the Constitution of North Dakota, state statute, or executive order of the governor or any task force or working group created by the individual in charge of a state agency or institution, to exercise public authority or perform a governmental function;

b. Public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of any political subdivision of the state and any entity created or recognized by the Constitution of North Dakota, state statute, executive order of the governor, resolution, ordinance, rule, bylaw, or executive order of the chief executive authority of a political subdivision of the state to exercise public authority or perform a governmental function; and

c. Organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13).

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1. State

Subject to the law.

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2. County

Subject to the law.

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3. Local or municipal

Subject to the law.

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C. What bodies are covered by the law?

The following bodies are expressly covered by the law:

c. Organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13).

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1. Executive branch agencies

Covered by the law.

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a. What officials are covered?

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b. Are certain executive functions covered?

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c. Are only certain agencies subject to the act?

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2. Legislative bodies

Covered by the law. The January filing date for regularly scheduled meetings does not apply to meetings of the legislative assembly or any committee of the legislative assembly. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3).

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3. Courts

The open meetings law does not apply to courts. Therefore, the attorney general has said deliberations of the North Dakota Supreme Court are not open meetings, and committees created by the North Dakota Supreme Court are not subject to the open meetings law.

Court proceedings are generally open to the public under the state constitution, with several exceptions. For example, juvenile hearings, adoption hearings, parentage hearings, grand jury sessions, incapacity hearings, and involuntary treatment hearings are generally closed. See, e.g., N.D.C.C. §14-15-16(3).

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4. Nongovernmental bodies receiving public funds or benefits

Organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, are covered by the law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13).

“Public funds” are defined as cash and other assets with more than minimal value received from the state or from any political subdivision of the state. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1. An organization or agency “supported in whole or in part by public funds” means an organization or agency that has received public funds exceeding the fair market value of any goods or services given in exchange for the funds. Id. The funds may be grants, membership dues, fees, or any other type of payment. Id. According to the North Dakota attorney general, a nongovernmental organization expends public funds when it receives and uses a direct appropriation from a governmental entity, or when it manages a pool of public funds on behalf of one or more public entities. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 96-F-18 (1996); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 99-O-02 (1999).

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5. Nongovernmental groups whose members include governmental officials

If a body is not a public or governmental body, but its members include governmental officials, the open meetings law applies only if the body is supported in whole or in part by public funds or if the body expends public funds.

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6. Multi-state or regional bodies

There is no specific statutory provision regarding such bodies.

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7. Advisory boards and commissions, quasi-governmental entities

The open meetings law expressly applies to task forces and working groups created by the individual in charge of a state agency or institution. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1. Additionally, because almost all advisory boards, commissions, and quasi-governmental entities expend public funds or are supported in whole or in part by public funds, they would be within the open meetings law.

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8. Other bodies to which governmental or public functions are delegated

If an organization is created or recognized by state law or by an action of a political subdivision to exercise public authority or perform a governmental function, the organization is subject to the open meetings law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(13).

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9. Appointed as well as elected bodies

Covered by the law.

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D. What constitutes a meeting subject to the law

The law defines a “meeting” as a formal or informal gathering or a work session, whether in person or through any electronic means. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9); see also North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 6, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf. A meeting does not include a chance or social gathering at which public business is not considered; emergency operations during a disaster or emergency if a quorum of the members of the governing body are present but are not discussing public business as the full governing body or as a task force or working group; or the attendance of members of a governing body at meetings of any national, regional, or state association to which the public entity, the governing body, or individual members belong. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9).

As applied to the legislative assembly, “meeting” means any gathering subject to section 14 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota, which states, “All sessions of the legislative assembly, including the committee of the whole and meetings of legislative committees, must be open and public.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9).

North Dakota officials have noted that “[t]he letter and spirit of the law prohibit officials from contriving subterfuges to evade the requirements of the open meetings law,” and that “[a]ny doubt whether a gathering is a meeting should be resolved by complying with the open meetings law.” North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 6, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf.

“Meetings” need not be live interactions. “[W]hen a series of conversations regarding public business between members of a governing body collectively involve a quorum, this is considered a meeting subject to open meetings law, whether such conversations happen in person, via telephone, or other electronic means.” N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-)O-10 (citing N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2018-O-10).

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1. Number that must be present

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a. Must a minimum number be present to constitute a "meeting"?

Yes. A quorum of the members of the governing body of a public entity regarding public business must be present to meet the statutory definition of a “meeting.” N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9). Alternatively, less than a quorum of the members of the governing body of a public entity regarding public business may constitute a meeting, if the members attending one or more of such smaller gatherings collectively constitute a quorum and if the members hold the gathering for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of the open meetings law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9).

A “quorum” is defined as one-half or more of the members of the governing body, or any smaller number if sufficient for a governing body to transact business on behalf of the public entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(15).

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b. What effect does absence of a quorum have?

For the open meetings law to apply, either a quorum must be present or the members attending one or more smaller gatherings collectively must constitute a quorum and must hold the gathering for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of the open meetings law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-11. These meetings also cannot be merely social; they must address matters of public importance related to the public body. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-10.

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2. Nature of business subject to the law

A gathering must pertain to “public business” to be subject to the law. A governing body does not have to transact business for a gathering to be a meeting. See, e.g., N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2001-O-07 (2001). The open meetings law applies to all stages of the decision-making process, including gathering information, holding deliberations, and making a final decision, according to the attorney general.

In Dickinson Education Association v. Dickinson Public School District No. 1, 252 N.W.2d 205, 212-13 (N.D. 1977), the North Dakota Supreme Court held that committees (consisting of a portion of the total membership of a covered board) must hold their meetings in public. The court also held that all school board (or negotiating committee) meetings where teacher contract offers and school board offers and counteroffers are considered must be open to the public.

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a. "Information gathering" and "fact-finding" sessions

Subject to the law.

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b. Deliberation toward decisions

Subject to the law.

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3. Electronic meetings

The law specifically applies to electronic meetings, defining a “meeting” as a formal or informal gathering or a work session, whether in person or through electronic means such as telephone or videoconference. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-17.1(9) (emphasis added).

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a. Conference calls and video/Internet conferencing

Subject to the law.

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b. E-mail

Simultaneous communication between a quorum of a governing body through e-mail may be considered a meeting subject to the open meetings law. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2007-O-14 (2007) (opining that an e-mail exchange constituted a “meeting”).

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c. Text messages

Simultaneous communication between a quorum of a governing body through text messages may be considered a meeting subject to the open meetings law. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2007-O-14 (2007); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2018-0-10. Text messages, like e-mail, can be used for ministerial purposes, such as setting a meeting date and time, or providing information to review before the next meeting. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2018-0-10.

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d. Instant messaging

Simultaneous communication between a quorum of a governing body through instant messaging may be considered a meeting subject to the open meetings law. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2007-O-14 (2007); N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2018-0-10. Text messages, like e-mail, can be used for ministerial purposes, such as setting a meeting date and time, or providing information to review before the next meeting. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2018-0-10.

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There is no case or statutory law specifically addressing this issue, but simultaneous communication between a quorum of a governing body through nontraditional means has been considered a meeting subject to the open meetings law. See N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2007-O-14 (2007).

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E. Categories of meetings subject to the law

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1. Regular meetings

All regular meetings are subject to the open meetings law.

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a. Definition

When reasonable and practicable, a governing body of a public entity should attempt to set a regular schedule for its meetings by statute, ordinance, or resolution. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3).

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b. Notice

The open meetings law provides that public notice must be given in advance of all meetings of a public entity, including executive sessions, conference call meetings, and videoconferences. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(1). Unless otherwise specified by law, or as decided by the public entity, notices need not be published. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(1).

The notice must contain the date, time, and location of the meeting and, if practicable, the topics to be considered. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(2). However, the lack of an agenda in the notice, or a departure from, or an addition to, the agenda at a meeting, does not affect the validity of the meeting or the actions taken at the meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(2). The notice must also contain the general subject matter of any executive session expected to be held during the meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(2). If an entity fails to sufficiently describe the general subject matter to be discussed during the executive session, it fails to substantially comply with the open meetings law. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2022-O-02. For meetings to be held by telephone or videoconference, or other electronic means, the location of the meeting and the place the meeting is held is the location of a speakerphone or monitor. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(2).

If the governing body holds regularly scheduled meetings, the schedule of the meetings, including the notice information, if available, must be filed annually in January with the secretary of state for state-level bodies or for public entities, the city auditor or designee of the city for city-level bodies, and the county auditor or designee of the county for all other bodies, or the schedule must be posted on the public entity’s website. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3) (emphasis added). The schedule must be furnished to anyone who requests the information. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3).

The governing body’s presiding officer has the responsibility of assuring that the notice is given at the same time as the governing body’s members are notified, and that the notice is available to anyone requesting such information. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(5). When a request is made for notice of meetings, the request is effective for one year, unless a different time period is specified. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(5).

The notice must be filed with the secretary of state for state-level bodies or for public entities, the city auditor or designee of the city for city-level bodies, and the county auditor or designee of the county for all other bodies, or the schedule must be posted on the public entity’s website. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3) (emphasis added). The schedule must be furnished to anyone who requests the information. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3).

A committee of an institution under the authority of the state board of higher education, instead of the standard notice requirements, may file in the office of the president of the institution the name, address, and telephone number of a person who may be contacted to obtain specific times, dates, and locations of any meetings of that committee or to request specific notification of each meeting of that committee. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(7).

The notice must be posted at the principal office of the governing body holding the meeting, if one exists, and at the location of the meeting on the day of the meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(4). In addition, unless all the information contained in the notice was previously filed with the appropriate office under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(3), the notice must be filed in the office of the secretary of state for state-level bodies or for public entities, the city auditor or designee of the city for city-level bodies, the county auditor or designee of the county for all other bodies, or posted on the public entity’s website. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(4).

The notice provision law is violated when a notice is not provided in substantial compliance with the law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(9).

A violation of the notice provision law may be the subject of a civil action brought by an interested person or entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1). The court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, a writ of prohibition or mandamus, costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1). For an intentional or knowing violation, the court may also award damages in an amount equal to one thousand dollars or actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

Action taken at an improperly noticed meeting is voidable. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(2).

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c. Minutes

Minutes must be kept of all open meetings and are open records. The minutes must include, at a minimum:

a. The names of the members attending the meeting;

b. The date and time the meeting was called to order and adjourned;

c. A list of topics discussed regarding public business;

d. A description of each motion made at the meeting and whether the motion was seconded;

e. The results of every vote taken at the meeting; and

f. The vote of each member on every recorded roll call vote.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.

The disclosure of minutes may not be conditioned on the approval of the minutes by the governing body. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.

The governing body of a municipality is expressly required to keep a journal of its proceedings. N.D.C.C. § 40-06-02.

Unless there is a specific exception to the open records law, minutes are open records.

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2. Special or emergency meetings

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a. Definition

There is no statutory definition of special or emergency meetings, but such a meeting is presumably a meeting that is not regularly scheduled. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20.

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b. Notice requirements

In the event of emergency or special meetings, the person calling the meeting must, in addition to the standard notices, also notify the public entity’s official newspaper, if any, and any representatives of the news media who have requested to be notified of special or emergency meetings, of the time, place, date, and topics to be considered, at the same time the governing body’s members are notified. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(6). If the public entity does not have an official newspaper, then it must notify the official newspaper of the county where its principal office or mailing address is located. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(6). Notifying a local newspaper of the meeting, although with a mistakenly incorrect date, counts as substantial compliance with the open records law’s notice requirement when the government entity elsewhere gives notice of the meeting. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2023-O-01. Topics that may be considered at an emergency or special meeting are limited to those included in the notice. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(6).

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c. Minutes

Minutes must be kept of all open meetings and are open records. The minutes must include, at a minimum:

The names of the members attending the meeting;
The date and time the meeting was called to order and adjourned;
A list of topics discussed regarding public business;
A description of each motion made at the meeting and whether the motion was seconded;
The results of every vote taken at the meeting; and
The vote of each member on every recorded roll call vote.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21(2).

The disclosure of minutes may not be conditioned on the approval of the minutes by the governing body. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.

Unless there is a specific exception to the open records law, minutes are open records.

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3. Closed meetings or executive sessions

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a. Definition

A governing body may hold an executive session to consider or discuss closed or confidential records. Unless a different procedure is provided by law, an executive session that is authorized by law may be held if:

The governing body first convenes in an open session and, unless a confidential meeting is required, passes a motion to hold an executive session;
The governing body announces during the open portion of the meeting the topics to be discussed or considered during the executive session and the body’s legal authority for holding an executive session on those topics. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2022-O-04;
The executive session is recorded under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5);
The topics discussed or considered during the executive session are limited to those for which an executive session is authorized by law and that have been previously announced; and
Final action concerning the topics discussed or considered during the executive session is taken at a meeting open to the public, unless final action is otherwise required by law to be taken during a closed or confidential meeting. “Final action” means a collective decision or a collective commitment or promise to make a decision on any matter, including formation of a position or policy, but does not include guidance given by members of the governing body to legal counsel or other negotiator in a closed attorney consultation or negotiation preparation session authorized in N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1.

N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(2).

The remainder of a meeting during which an executive session is held is an open meeting, unless a specific exception applies. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(3).

A public entity may sequester all competitors in a competitive selection or hiring process from that portion of a public meeting wherein presentations are heard or interviews are conducted. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(6).

A caucus of members of either house of the legislative assembly may meet in an executive session that is not subject to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2 if the meeting is not held on public property. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.3.

North Dakota’s higher education state board is permitted to hold executive sessions when it has to consider approval or removal of “the commissioner of higher education, or a president or other faculty head, professor, instructor, teacher, officer, or other employee of an institution under the board's control.” N.D.C.C. § 15-10-17(1)(d); see also North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Open Records Manual (Oct. 2022) at 17, https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OpenRecordsManual.pdf.

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b. Notice requirements

The notice given for the general meeting also contain the general subject matter of any executive session expected to be held during the meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-20(2).

Before holding an executive session, the governing body must first convene in an open session and, unless a confidential meeting is required, passes a motion to hold an executive session. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(2). Additionally, the governing body must announce during the open portion of the meeting the topics to be discussed or considered during the executive session and the body’s legal authority for holding an executive session on those topics. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(2).

Officials must provide notice for each relevant meeting as early as possible, though no mandatory minimum is enforceable, under N.D.C.C. §44-04-20.

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c. Minutes

The minutes of an open meeting during which an executive session is held must indicate the names of the members attending the executive session, the date and time the executive session was called to order and adjourned, a summary of the general topics that were discussed or considered that does not disclose any closed or confidential information, and the legal authority for holding the executive session. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(4).
The minutes indicating the names of the members attending the executive session, the date and time the executive session was called to order and adjourned, a summary of the general topics that were discussed or considered (without disclosing any closed or confidential information), and the legal authority for holding the executive session are open records. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(4).

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d. Requirement to meet in public before closing meeting

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e. Requirement to state statutory authority for closing meetings before closure

The governing body must announce during the open portion of the meeting the topics to be discussed or considered during the executive session and the body’s legal authority for holding an executive session on those topics. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(2).

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f. Tape recording requirements

All meetings of the governing body of a public entity that are not open to the public must be recorded electronically or on audiotape or videotape. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5). The recording must be disclosed pursuant to court order under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.11(2) or to the attorney general for the purpose of administrative review under N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5). However, this recording is not subject to the open records or open meeting statutes. N.D. Op. Att’y Gen. 2019-O-19. The attorney general may not disclose to the public any recording received and must return the recording to the governing body upon completion of the administrative review. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5). The recording may be disclosed upon majority vote of the governing body, unless the executive session was required to be confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5).

The right of a person to attend a meeting includes the right to photograph, to record on audiotape or videotape, and to broadcast live on radio or television the portion of the meeting that is not held in executive session, provided that there is no active interference with the conduct of the meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19(3). The exercise of this right may not be dependent upon the prior approval of the governing body. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19(3). However, the governing body may impose reasonable limitations on recording activity to minimize the possibility of disruption of the meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19(3).

All recordings must be retained for a minimum of six months after the executive session that is the subject of the recording. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2(5).

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F. Recording/broadcast of meetings

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1. Sound recordings allowed

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2. Photographic recordings allowed

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G. Access to meeting materials, reports and agendas

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H. Are there sanctions for noncompliance?

The court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, a writ of prohibition or mandamus, costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1). For an intentional or knowing violation, the court may also award damages in an amount equal to one thousand dollars or actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

Additionally, action taken at an improperly convened meeting is voidable. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(2).

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II. Exemptions and other legal limitations

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A. Exemptions in the open meetings statute

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1. Character of exemptions

North Dakota law provides that all public meetings are open meetings, unless there is a specific statutory exemption of a particular type of meeting.

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2. Description of each exemption

Open records law exceptions generally provide corresponding exceptions in the open meetings law. The portion of a meeting during which closed or confidential records are discussed may be held in executive session.

Additionally, the following meetings are expressly exempted from the open meetings law (or the constitutional provision requiring open access to courts) by statute.

Judicial Proceedings:

1. Trials of cases of scandalous or obscene natures, if the presiding judge or justice, in his discretion, excludes persons not necessarily present as parties or witnesses. N.D.C.C. § 27-01-02.

2. Juvenile court hearings, except hearings to declare a person in contempt of court. N.D.C.C. § 27-20-24.

3. Jury deliberations. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-09-05; § 29-22-01; § 29-22-0 2.

4. Preliminary hearings in criminal matters, where the magistrate holding the hearing, within his discretion and upon the request of the defendant, excludes every person except his clerk, the prosecutor and his counsel, the attorney general of the state, the state’s attorney of the country, the defendant and his counsel, such other person as he may designate, and the officer having the defendant in custody. N.D.C.C. § 29-07-14; see also Dickinson Newspapers Inc. v. Jorgensen, 338 N.W.2d 72 (N.D. 1983) (upholding constitutionality of this provision.)

5. Grand jury sessions. N.D.C.C. § 29-10.1-28; see also N.D.C.C. § 29-10.2-04(l) (state grand juries governed by same provisions as county grand juries.)

6. Court hearings determining incapacity (i.e., the necessity for a guardian), if the person alleged to be incapacitated or his counsel requests a closed hearing. N.D.C.C. § 30.1-28-03(7).

7. On request of a party and for good cause shown, parentage hearings. N.D.C.C. § 14-20-54.

8. Judicial hearings concerning a minor’s application to obtain an abortion without parental consent.. N.D.C.C. § 14-02.1-03.1(3).

9. Court proceedings or actions brought by women against persons who performed abortions without informed consent, where the court, sua sponte or upon motion, determines that the anonymity of the women should be preserved. N.D.C.C. § 14-02.1-03.3.

10. Court hearings concerning the state health officer’s legal action to enjoin a person with human immunodeficiency virus infection from continuing to engage in behavior that presents an imminent danger to the public health. N.D.C.C. § 23-07.4-03.

11. Adoption proceedings. N.D.C.C. § 14-15-16.

12. Criminal proceedings (including depositions and other discovery proceedings) where the defendant is charged with a sex offense involving a child, when the court, upon the motion of the prosecuting attorney and following a hearing, has determined that the testimony of a child may be closed to the public to protect the child’s reputation, after considering the following factors: (1) The nature and seriousness of the offense; (2) The age of the child; (3) The extent to which the size of the community would preclude the anonymity of the victim; (4) The likelihood of public opprobrium due to the status of the victim; (5) Whether the prosecution has demonstrated a substantial probability that the identity of the witness would otherwise be disclosed to the public during the proceeding and that the disclosure would cause serious harm to the witness; (6) Whether the witness has disclosed information concerning the case to the public through press conferences, public meetings, or other means; and (7) Any other factor the court may find necessary to protect the interests of justice. N.D.C.C. §§ 12.1-35-05.2, 12.1-35-05.3.

Other Proceedings:

13. A governing body may hold an executive session to discuss negotiating strategy or provide negotiating instructions to its attorney or other negotiator regarding litigation, adversarial administrative proceedings, or contracts, which are currently being negotiated or for which negotiation is reasonably likely to occur in the immediate future. N.D.C.C. 44-04-19.1(9). The executive session may be held only when an open meeting would have an adverse fiscal effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public entity. N.D.C.C. 44-04-19.1(9).

14. Hearings conducted by the department of human services, unless both the claimant and the opposing principal agree to the presence of unauthorized persons. N.D. Admin. Code § 75-01-03-15.

15. Legislative investigative committee hearings, if a closed meeting is requested by an investigated individual and a majority of the committee consents. N.D.C.C. § 54-03.2-10.In any event, no hearing, or part thereof, can be televised, filmed, or broadcast, except upon approval by a majority of the entire committee. N.D.C.C. § 54-03.2-10.

16. Executive sessions called by the state board of higher education to appoint or remove college or university employees, unless the person or persons involved request that the meeting be open to other persons or the public. N.D.C.C. § 15-10-17(l).

17. Board meetings concerning the nonrenewal, dismissal for cause, or suspension of a teacher, principal, superintendent, or directors may be closed. N.D.C.C. §§ 15.1-14-06, 15.1-14-10, 15.1-14-16, 15.1-14-20, 15.1-14-26, 15.1-14-30, 15.1-15-02, 15.1-15-06, 15.1-15-08, 15.1-15-10.

18. Proceedings concerning an attorney general’s or state’s attorney’s investigation of alleged violations of the financial interest statement law, until a determination has been reached by the investigating officer that enough incriminating evidence exists to bring an action and such action is commenced in the appropriate district court. N.D.C.C. § 16.1-09-06.

19. Meetings of the child fatality review panel. N.D.C.C. § 50-25.1-04.5.

20. All agricultural mediation service meetings and meetings involving the credit review board, staff negotiators, or mediators wherein the finances of specific farmers, creditors, and others are discussed. N.D.C.C. § 6-09.10-10.

21. The portion of a meeting during which an attorney consultation (i.e., any discussion between a governing body and its attorney in instances in which the governing body seeks or receives the attorney’s advice regarding and in anticipation of reasonably predictable civil or criminal litigation or adversarial administrative proceedings or concerning pending civil or criminal litigation or pending adversarial administrative proceedings) occurs may be closed. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1(2) and (5).

22. The portion of a meeting held to discuss or consider information pertaining to a prospective location of a business or industry, including the identity, nature, and location of the business or industry, when no previous public disclosure has been made by the business or industry of the interest or intent of the business or industry to locate in, relocate within, or expand within this state, or partner with a public entity to conduct research or to license a discovery or innovation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4. This exemption does not include records pertaining to the application for permits or licenses necessary to do business or to expand business operations within this state, except as otherwise provided by law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

23. The portion of a meeting held to discuss or consider information pertaining to trade secrets and proprietary, commercial, or financial information received from a person who is interested in or is applying for or receiving financing, technical assistance, or other forms of business assistance. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

24. The portions of social work examiners board meetings where client and juvenile testimony or records are taken. N.D.C.C. § 43-41-10(7).

25. The medical portion of a workers’ compensation hearing when Workforce Safety and Insurance grants a claimant’s request to close the medical portion of a hearing. N.D.C.C. § 65-05-32(6).

26. A caucus of members of either house of the legislative assembly may meet in an executive session that is not subject to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.2 if the meeting is not held on public property. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.3.

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B. Any other statutory requirements for closed or open meetings

Although government officials have attempted to read exclusions into the open meetings and open records laws based upon statutes that do not contain explicit exceptions, the North Dakota Supreme Court has resisted this effort. In Hovet v. Hebron Public School District, 419 N.W.2d 189, 191 (N.D. 1988), the court held that “an exception to the open-records law may not be implied.” Id.

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C. Court mandated opening, closing

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III. Meeting categories - open or closed

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A. Adjudications by administrative bodies

Generally open. Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined in Section II(A)(2) above.

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1. Deliberations closed, but not fact-finding

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2. Only certain adjudications closed, i.e. under certain statutes

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B. Budget sessions

Generally open. Please see the discussion of statutory exemptions, outlined in Section II(A)(2) above.

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C. Business and industry relations

The portion of a meeting held to discuss or consider information pertaining to a prospective location of a business or industry, including the identity, nature, and location of the business or industry, when no previous public disclosure has been made by the business or industry of the interest or intent of the business or industry to locate in, relocate within, or expand within this state, or partner with a public entity to conduct research or to license a discovery or innovation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4. This exemption does not include records pertaining to the application for permits or licenses necessary to do business or to expand business operations within this state, except as otherwise provided by law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

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D. Federal programs

Not addressed.

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E. Financial data of public bodies

Generally open.

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F. Financial data, trade secrets, or proprietary data of private corporations and individuals

The portion of a meeting held to discuss or consider information pertaining to trade secrets and proprietary, commercial, or financial information received from a person who is interested in or is applying for or receiving financing, technical assistance, or other forms of business assistance. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.4.

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G. Gifts, trusts and honorary degrees

Not addressed.

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H. Grand jury testimony by public employees

State and county grand jury sessions are generally closed. N.D.C.C. §§ 29-10.1-28, 29-10.2-04(l).

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I. Licensing examinations

Not open. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18.8.

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J. Litigation, pending litigation or other attorney-client privileges

The portion of a meeting during which an attorney consultation (i.e., any discussion between a governing body and its attorney in instances in which the governing body seeks or receives the attorney’s advice regarding and in anticipation of reasonably predictable civil or criminal litigation or adversarial administrative proceedings or concerning pending civil or criminal litigation or pending adversarial administrative proceedings) occurs may be closed. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19.1(2) and (5).

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K. Negotiations and collective bargaining of public employees

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1. Any sessions regarding collective bargaining

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2. Only those between the public employees and the public body

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L. Parole board meetings, or meetings involving parole board decisions

All parole records of the department of corrections and rehabilitation obtained in the discharge of official duty by any member of the parole board or employee of a division or department of the department of corrections and rehabilitation on behalf of the parole board are not open. N.D.C.C. § 12-59-04. An application for parole and the decision of the parole board on the application are open records. N.D.C.C. § 12-59-04.

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M. Patients, discussions on individual patients

Generally not open.

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N. Personnel matters

Executive sessions called by the state board of higher education to appoint or remove college or university employees, unless the person or persons involved request that the meeting be open to other persons or the public. N.D.C.C. § 15-10-17(l).

Board meetings concerning the nonrenewal, dismissal for cause, or suspension of a teacher, principal, superintendent, or directors may be closed. N.D.C.C. §§ 15.1-14-06, 15.1-14-10, 15.1-14-16, 15.1-14-20, 15.1-14-26, 15.1-14-30, 15.1-15-02, 15.1-15-06, 15.1-15-08, 15.1-15-10.

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1. Interviews for public employment

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2. Disciplinary matters, performance or ethics of public employees

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3. Dismissal, considering dismissal of public employees

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O. Real estate negotiations

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P. Security, national and/or state, of buildings, personnel or other

The portions of a meeting which would reveal a security system plan, a public health or security plan, or a portion of any such plan, made exempt by N.D.C.C. § 44-04-24 or N.D.C.C. § 44-04-25, are exempt from N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19 and section 5 of article XI of the Constitution of North Dakota. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-26.

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Q. Students, discussions on individual students

Generally closed under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which is a specific exception to the open records law.

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IV. Procedure for asserting right of access

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A. When to challenge

Unless a specific statutory exemption to the open meetings law is applicable, a challenge to non-admission is appropriate.

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1. Does the law provide expedited procedure for reviewing request to attend upcoming meetings?

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2. When barred from attending

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3. To set aside decision

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4. For ruling on future meetings

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5. Other

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B. How to start

Although no formal administrative appeal process is established by statute, taking the following steps will often open the doors to a meeting (or dissuade a board from retiring to executive session).

1. Identify yourself and the organization you represent, if any.

2. State that you “object” to the closure of the meeting and ask that your objection be recorded in the minutes (or other record of the proceeding).

3. Refer the board (or judge or other entity) to the open meetings provisions of the North Dakota Constitution (Article XI, Section 5) and the Century Code (N.D.C.C. § 44-04-19) and remind them that it is a crime for them to close the meeting.

4. If the board (or judge or other entity) refuses to open the meeting, request that the meeting be delayed until you have the opportunity to contact appropriate officials and/or your attorney and to bring legal action to determine if the meeting should be opened.

5. Contact the state’s attorney (for county and local officials), the city attorney (for city officials), and/or the attorney general’s office and ask them to speak directly to the presiding officer.

6. Contact and retain a private attorney who is familiar with the open meetings law to seek appropriate action.

In conducting these steps, speak with respect, but speak forcefully. Record your statements in the best manner available.

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1. Where to ask for ruling

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review an alleged violation of the open meetings law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The request must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the required notice must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general must then issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation, unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

North Dakota law lays out the administrative appeal procedure:

44-04-21.1. Administrative review procedure.

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review a written denial of a request for records under section 44-04-18, a denial of access to a meeting under section 44-04 19, or other alleged violation of section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 by any public entity other than the legislative assembly or any committee thereof. A request made under this section must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the notice required by section 44-04-20, must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. In preparing an opinion under this section, the attorney general has discretion to obtain and review a recording made under section 44-04-19.2. The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. Any such information may not be released by the attorney general and may be returned to the provider of the information. The attorney general shall issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. If the request pertains to a public entity as defined in subdivision c of subsection 12 of section 44-04 17.1, the opinion must be issued to the public entity providing the public funds. In any opinion issued under this section, the attorney general shall base the opinion on the facts given by the public entity.
If the attorney general issues a written opinion concluding that a violation has occurred, the public entity has seven days after the opinion is issued, regardless of whether a civil action is filed under section 44-04-21.2, to disclose the record, to issue a notice of a meeting that will be held within a reasonable time to correct the violation, or to take steps to correct any other violation. If the public entity fails to take the required action within the seven-day period and the person requesting the opinion prevails in a civil action brought under section 44-04-21.2, the person must be awarded costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the action and on appeal. The consequences for failing to comply with an attorney general’s opinion issued under this section will be the same as for other attorney general’s opinions, including potential personal liability for the person or persons responsible for the noncompliance.

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a. Administrative forum

The request for review of a denial of access to a meeting is directed to the state attorney general. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1.

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b. State attorney general

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review an alleged violation of the open meetings law, including the denial of access to a meeting. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The request must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the required notice must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1. The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general must then issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation, unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

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c. Court

North Dakota law also provides for court action, as discussed below.

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2. Applicable time limits

The request for review of a denial of access to a meeting must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the required notice must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

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3. Contents of request for ruling

The open meetings law does not specify the requirements of the contents of a request for review of a denial of access to a meeting.

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4. How long should you wait for a response

The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general must then issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation, unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

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5. Are subsequent or concurrent measures (formal or informal) available?

Any action that is a product of a violation of N.D.C.C. §§ 44-04-19, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 is voidable by a court in a civil action. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(2).

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C. Court review of administrative decision

North Dakota law also provides for court action:

44-04-21.2. Remedies for violations and enforcement procedure.

1. A violation of section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 may be the subject of a civil action brought by an interested person or entity. For an alleged violation of section 44-04-18, the complaint must be accompanied by a dated, written request for the requested record. If a court finds that any of these sections have been violated by a public entity, the court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, a writ of prohibition or mandamus, costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity. For an intentional or knowing violation of section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21, the court may also award damages in an amount equal to one thousand dollars or actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. An action under this subsection must be commenced within sixty days of the date the person knew or should have known of the violation or within thirty days of issuance of an attorney general’s opinion on the alleged violation, whichever is later. Venue for an action is in the county where the entity has its principal office or, if the entity does not have a principal office within the state, in Burleigh County.

2. Any action that is a product of a violation of section 44-04-19, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 is voidable by a court in a civil action authorized by this section.

3. The remedies provided in this section are not available if a violation of section 44-04-18, 44 04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 has been corrected before a civil action is filed and no person has been prejudiced or harmed by the delay. An interested person or entity may not file a civil action under this section seeking attorney’s fees or damages, or both, until at least three working days after providing notice of the alleged violation to the chief administrative officer for the public entity. This subsection does not apply if the attorney general has found under section 44-04-21.1, on a prior occasion, that the public entity has violated section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21.

44-04-21.3. Attorney general referral and criminal penalties.

The attorney general may refer to the appropriate state’s attorney any public servant as defined in section 12.1-01-04 who has been found in more than one opinion issued pursuant to section 44 04-21.1 to have violated section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21. A public servant as defined in section 12.1-01-04 who knowingly violates section 44-04-18, 44-04 19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 is guilty of an offense under section 12.1-11-06.

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1. Who may sue?

An “interested person or entity” may sue. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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2. Will the court give priority to the pleading?

The open meetings law does not specify that the court will give priority to the pleading.

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3. Pro se possibility, advisability

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4. What issues will the court address?

The court may address violations of N.D.C.C. §§ 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21.

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a. Open the meeting

The court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, or a writ of probation or mandamus against the public entity, which could include opening the meeting. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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b. Invalidate the decision

Any action that is a product of an improperly closed meeting may be voidable by a court in a civil action. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(2).

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c. Order future meetings open

The court may award declaratory relief, an injunction, or a writ of probation or mandamus against the public entity, which could include ordering future meetings be open. See N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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5. Pleading format

The open meetings law does not contain special procedural rules; the traditional rules of civil procedure apply.

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6. Time limit for filing suit

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7. What court?

Venue for an action is in the county where the entity has its principal office or, if the entity does not have a principal office within the state, in Burleigh County. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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8. Judicial remedies available

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9. Availability of court costs and attorney's fees

The court may award costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees against the entity. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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10. Fines

For an intentional or knowing violation, the court may award damages in an amount equal to one thousand dollars or actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.2(1).

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11. Other penalties

The attorney general may refer to the appropriate state’s attorney any public servant as defined in N.D.C.C. § 12.1-01-04 who has been found in more than one opinion issued to have violated N.D.C.C. §§ 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.3. A public servant who knowingly violates N.D.C.C. §§ 44-04-18, 44-04 19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 is guilty of an offense under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-11-06.

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D. Appealing initial court decisions

Any appeal of a decision of the district court would be taken directly to the North Dakota Supreme Court. The traditional rules of appellate procedure apply.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press often files amicus briefs in cases involving significant media law issues before a state’s highest court.

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1. Appeal routes

Any appeal of a decision of the district court would be taken directly to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

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2. Time limits for filing appeals

In a civil case, the notice of appeal must be filed with the clerk of the district court within sixty days of the date of service of notice of entry of the judgment or order.

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3. Contact of interested amici

In many cases, the State Broadcasters Association or the North Dakota Newspaper Association will assist with either an amicus curiae brief or with the financing of the suit.

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V. Asserting a right to comment

North Dakota law does not require that the public be allowed to participate at an open meeting. However, an opportunity for public comment is not prohibited.

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A. Is there a right to participate in public meetings?

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B. Must a commenter give notice of intentions to comment?

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C. Can a public body limit comment?

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D. How can a participant assert rights to comment?

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E. Are there sanctions for unapproved comment?

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Appendix

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Open Government Guide

Author

Foreword

Open Records

I. Statute

A. Who can request records?

1. Status of requester

2. Purpose of request

3. Use of records

4. Can an individual request records on behalf of a third party or organization?

B. Whose records are and are not subject to the Act

1. Executive branch

2. Legislative bodies

3. Courts

4. Nongovernmental bodies

5. Multi-state or regional bodies

6. Advisory boards and commissions, quasi-governmental entities

7. Others

C. What records are and are not subject to the act?

1. What kinds of records are covered?

2. What physical form of records are covered

3. Are certain records available for inspection but not copying?

4. Telephone call logs

5. Electronic records (e.g., databases, metadata)

a. Can the requester choose a format for receiving records?

b. Can the requester obtain a customized search of computer databases to fit particular needs

c. Does the existence of information in electronic format affect its openness?

d. Online dissemination

6. Email

7. Text messages and other electronic messages

8. Social media posts

9. Computer software

10. Can a requester ask for the creation or compilation of a new record?

D. Fee provisions

1. Types of assessable fees (e.g., for search, review, duplication) and levels or limitations on fees

2. Particular fee specifications or provisions

3. Provisions for fee waivers

4. Requirements or prohibitions regarding advance payment

5. Have agencies imposed prohibitive fees to discourage requesters?

6. Fees for electronic records

E. Who enforces the Act?

1. Attorney General's role

2. Availability of an ombudsman

3. Commission or agency enforcement

F. Are there sanctions for noncompliance?

G. Record-holder obligations

1. Search obligations

2. Proactive disclosure requirements

3. Records retention requirements

4. Provisions for broad, vague, or burdensome requests

II. Exemptions and other legal limitations

A. Exemptions in the open records statute

1. Character of exemptions

2. Discussion of each exemption

B. Other statutory exclusions

C. Court-derived exclusions, common law prohibitions, recognized privileges against disclosure

D. Protective orders and government agreements to keep records confidential

E. Interaction between federal and state law

1. HIPAA

2. DPPA

3. FERPA

4. Other

F. Segregability requirements

G. Agency obligation to identify basis of redaction or withholding

III. Record categories - open or closed

A. Autopsy and coroners reports

B. Administrative enforcement records (e.g., worker safety and health inspections, or accident investigations)

C. Bank records

D. Budgets

E. Business records, financial data, trade secrets

F. Contracts, proposals and bids

G. Collective bargaining records

H. Economic development records

I. Election Records

J. Emergency Medical Services records

K. Gun permits

L. Homeland security and anti-terrorism measures

M. Hospital reports

N. Personnel records

1. Salary