1. "Immediate family" means a parent; sibling; child by blood, adoption, or marriage; spouse; grandparent; or grandchild.

2. "Gift" means any item, service, or thing of value not given in exchange for fair market consideration, including gifts of travel or recreation.

3. "Informal social and educational event" is any meeting, session, or interaction occurring within the state between a public official and a state resident, including but not limited to a registered lobbyist who is a state resident, for the purpose of informing or educating the public official on a matter of interest or concern.

4. "Lobby" means: a. Attempts to secure the passage, amendment, or defeat of any legislation by the legislative assembly or the approval or veto of any legislation by the governor of the state. b. Attempts to influence decisions made by the legislative management or by an interim committee of the legislative management. c. Attempts to secure passage, amendment, or defeat of any administrative rule or regulation by any department, agency, or body of the state's executive branch. d. Attempts to otherwise influence public official action or decision.

5. "Lobbyist" means a person who engages in activity that falls within the definition of the term "lobby" as defined in this rule but does not include: a. A legislator. b. A private citizen appearing on the citizen's own behalf. c. An employee, officer, board member, volunteer, or agent of the state or its political subdivisions whether elected or appointed and, whether or not compensated, who is acting in that person's official capacity. d. Invited by the chairman of the legislative management, an interim committee of the legislative management, standing committee of the legislative assembly, or an official of any department, agency, or body of the state's executive branch to appear before the

legislative management, interim committee, or standing committee for the purpose of providing information.

e. A person who appears before a legislative committee for the sole purpose of presenting testimony on behalf of a trade or professional organization or a business or industry if the person is introduced to the committee by the lobbyist for the trade or professional organization or the business or industry.

f. These rules are not intended to expand the definition of who should be required to be registered as a lobbyist under North Dakota century code section 54-05.1-03.

6. "Person" means an individual, partnership, entity, political committee, association, corporation, cooperative corporation, limited liability company, or other organization or group of persons.

7. "Private social and educational event" is any social and educational event that is held within the state and attendance is by invitation to state residents and others who are members, employees, or affiliated with a sponsoring public or private organization, entity, or association. The event must include an educational component and not be limited to a social event. The lobbyist required to register under North Dakota century code chapter 54-05.1, and public officials may not be the only state residents in attendance.

8. "Public official" means any elected or appointed official of the state's executive or legislative branch, including members of the ethics commission, members of the governor's cabinet, and employees of the legislative branch.

9. "Public social and educational event" is any social and educational event that is held within the state and attendance is open to any state residents and others. The event must include an educational component and not be limited to a social event. The lobbyist required to register under North Dakota century code chapter 54-05.1, and public officials may not be the only state residents in attendance.

History: Effective October 6, 2020; amended effective July 28, 2021.