North Dakota ethics rule changes address bad faith complaintsRebecca Binstock, executive director for the North Dakota Ethics Commission, speaks during a commission meeting at the Capitol on Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D.(North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Ethics Commission adopted several updates to its complaint process Wednesday, including a change that allows complaints filed in bad faith to be dismissed. The Ethics Commission investigates complaints related to potential unethical conduct by some state public officials and candidates. The amended rules consider bad faith complaints to include those filed “to harass or impugn the reputation” of the accused. Previously, the commission considered making bad faith complaints punishable by fines, though commissioners decided against it.