North Dakota Task Force Eyes Dissolving Dozens of State Boards

Effort aims to streamline state government and reduce costs of oversight boards.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:57pm

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A North Dakota task force is reviewing over 170 state boards and commissions with the goal of dissolving nearly two-dozen entities and merging about 20 others into existing boards. The Boards and Commissions Task Force has been meeting with the state's boards since October 2025 to identify inefficiencies and overlapping responsibilities, with a report due to the legislature by October 2026.

Why it matters

The task force's work is part of a broader effort by the state to streamline government and reduce costs associated with the large number of boards and commissions. Governor Kelly Armstrong has emphasized the need to consolidate these entities, noting that 'every single one comes with a price tag, even the volunteer boards.' The recommendations could lead to significant changes in how certain industries, like charitable gambling, are regulated in North Dakota.

The details

The task force has met with 130 different boards so far, with another 43 scheduled to meet in April and May. They are preparing to recommend dissolving nearly two-dozen entities and merging about 20 others. Some changes would require legislative action in 2027, while others could be made through executive action by the governor. The task force is also looking at reducing the size of boards that have dozens of members, in an effort to lower overall costs.

  • The North Dakota Boards and Commissions Task Force has been meeting with the state's boards and commissions since October 2025.
  • The task force is required to submit a report with recommendations to Legislative Management by October 1, 2026.
  • Many of the changes recommended by the task force would require action by state lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session.

The players

Kelly Armstrong

The Governor of North Dakota who has emphasized the need to reduce or combine the state's boards and commissions to deliver better services.

Michael Howe

The Secretary of State and chair of the Boards and Commissions Task Force.

Jamie McLean

The chair of the North Dakota Gaming Commission, which oversees the state's $2.5 billion charitable gambling industry.

Mike Motschenbacher

The executive director of the North Dakota Gaming Alliance, an advocacy organization for the charitable gambling industry.

Kristin Roers

A Republican state senator and member of the Boards and Commissions Task Force.

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What they’re saying

“Every single one comes with a price tag, even the volunteer boards.”

— Kelly Armstrong, Governor of North Dakota (North Dakota Monitor)

“That is an extremely long and grueling process that I don't think is understood as well as it could be. You are changing to adapt to what's going on in the industry at the time, and it's needed probably every two years.”

— Jamie McLean, Chair, North Dakota Gaming Commission (North Dakota Monitor)

“It's really hard when you are in that profession to feel like we're not valuing your existence, but we want to really look at it from that independent, unbiased view to make sure that we are not protecting turf.”

— Kristin Roers, State Senator, North Dakota (North Dakota Monitor)

What’s next

The next meeting of the North Dakota Boards and Commissions Task Force will be on April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

North Dakota's effort to dissolve or merge dozens of state boards and commissions reflects a broader push to streamline government and reduce costs associated with oversight entities. While some industries, like charitable gambling, are concerned about the potential changes, the task force is aiming to take an independent and unbiased approach to ensure the state's boards and commissions are efficient and serving the public interest.