Two legislators in North Dakota are planning to introduce a range of proposals aimed at addressing ethics and transparency in state government, and they are citing the state's abysmal score in the State Integrity Investigation as part of their effort.

As reported by John Celock in the Huffington Post, the proposals by State Reps. Corey Mock (D-Grand Forks) and Ed Gruchalla (D- Fargo) will address campaign finance disclosure, conflict of interest and the need for an ethics watchdog. You can read the full story here.

North Dakota scored a grade of F in the State Integrity Investigation, ranking 43rd among the 50 states. Across the 14 categories rated, North Dakota scored an F in seven of them -- including the categories of polticial financing, legislative accountability, lobbying disclosure and ethics enforcement.

The new proposals, which Mock and Gruchalla will introduce in the 2013 legislative session, include provisions to require state legislative candidates to disclose all donations; establish an ethics commission; require conflict of interest statements for government employees; and require disclosure of all legislative campaign expenses.

North Dakota becomes the fifth state in which legislators have cited the State Integrity Investigation in proposing new legislation to enhance transparency. Three other states have passed reform laws in the wake of the State Integrity Investigation.