The North Dakota Monitor’s Mary Steurer reports that North Dakota’s Ethics Commission approved a state lawmaker’s request to accept a free trip to Israel in September, determining the educational tour doesn’t violate ethics rules.
The five-day trip is funded by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and would include meetings with Israeli leaders and visits to cultural sites. Over 200 lawmakers from all 50 states are invited.
House Minority Leader Zac Ista requested the advisory opinion after receiving an invitation. He hasn’t decided whether to attend but said he values learning about other governments firsthand.
Commissioner Murray Sagsveen said while the he thinks the trip aims to give lawmakers a positive view of Israel, it doesn’t constitute lobbying under North Dakota law since the organizers say there’s no attempt to influence specific state decisions.
The commission separately approved Representative Pat Heinert’s request to attend a free automobile conference in Las Vegas, with similar educational guidelines.
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