News

The TGU School District #60 did not file an annual schedule of upcoming committee meetings, so those committee meetings are special meetings and must comply with the laws governing special meetings. The school district violated the law because it failed to comply with the additional requirements governing special meeting notices.

In the wake of recent national disasters, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem warns consumers to be aware of phony “look alike” charities. The Consumer Protection division recently received a judgment against several phony charities operating in North Dakota.

Saturday October 27, 2018, is National Take Back Day, and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem reminds all North Dakota residents that there are more than 160 locations across the state at which they can safely dispose of unused prescription drugs such as pain medications and anti-depressants.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has appointed Deputy Director Lonnie Grabowska as the new Director of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The BCI is a division of the Attorney General’s office. Grabowska takes over from Dallas Carlson, who was confirmed as US Marshal for North Dakota earlier this month.

The City of Mylo did not hold any meetings that required public notice. The mayor’s discussion with the Sheriff and State Highway Patrol to discuss safety issues did not involve the city council and was not subject to the open meetings law.

The Divide County Ambulance District Board of Directors violated the law when it failed to properly notice its annual meeting or the business meeting that followed. The Board’s practice of using text messaging and emails to conduct business and take final action also violates the law. Regardless of the use of technology, discussions among board members about public business are meetings, and are subject to the open meeting law requirements.

The Williston School Board violated the law when it held an executive session to hold general discussions regarding final candidates for the Superintendent position, and violated the law when the board reached a consensus in the closed meeting. Even when an executive session is authorized, any final action, including a “consensus,” must be taken in the public portion of the meeting.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem joined a bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General calling on the Federal Communications Commission to create new rules to allow telephone service providers to block more illegal robocalls being made to unsuspecting consumers in North Dakota and across the country.

Earlier today, US District Court Judge Daniel Hovland upheld North Dakota’s Corporate Farming Law. The order comes as a result of a lawsuit filed in August 2016 by the North Dakota Farm Bureau and several farmers, who claimed the Corporate Farming Law was unconstitutional.

Changes in federal law that take effect on Friday this week will make it even easier to protect consumers’ credit from identity theft, announced Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Beginning September 21, 2018, placing a security freeze on a credit file is free.