× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

North Dakota lawmakers would be reimbursed by taxpayers for meals during the legislative session under a bipartisan bill that supporters said is partly a response to new state ethics rules.

House Bill 1505 comes with an estimated two-year price tag of nearly $401,500 and allows lawmakers to claim meal reimbursement for each day during organizational, special and regular legislative sessions.

Legislators already receive a meal expense of up to $35 per day during interim study periods between biennial sessions, and the bill would provide the same rate for the other legislative meetings. The bill's actual cost would depend on how many meals lawmakers claim.

The bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, said lawmakers have discussed the idea in the past but it became more urgent after the passage of Measure 1. The measure added new anti-corruption language to the state constitution, including a ban on lobbyist gifts, prompting some industry groups to rethink legislative receptions and socials that included food and drinks.

“It’s not every night of the week, but there’s usually something going on where legislators have an opportunity to at least grab a quick bite,” Democratic Rep. Corey Mock, a bill co-sponsor, said Tuesday.