The House passes a bill that promotes transparency in public leasing

BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – The North Dakota House has advanced a bill that supporters say will increase transparency in state government.

House Bill 1288 requires rental agreements and rental agreements signed by government agencies to list anyone who owns 10% or more of the property being rented. It comes after a year of controversy surrounding a building leased by the attorney general’s office south of Bismarck that cost more than expected. According to representative Jason Docter of Bismarck, the property is shared. Supporters of the bill say the legislation was inspired by a study from a previous session that preceded the AG’s lease.

“This is an expansion — a good expansion — of transparency for the public about what’s going on with the LLCs that lease their buildings to the state,” said Rep. Vicki Steiner, R-Dickinson.

Proponents of the law say that it is not focused on a specific situation, but on the future. The bill was approved with 87 votes and 3 votes in favor. Next it goes to the Senate.

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