BISMARCK (AP) - North Dakota's House Republican majority leader says he believes the Legislature follows high standards of conduct, and new ethics rules aren't needed.
Fargo Rep. Al Carlson says lawmakers themselves should be responsible for reporting misbehavior by their colleagues.
The Legislature is meeting in Bismarck this week to get organized for the regular 2013 business session. It starts in January.
The Legislature's Democratic and Republican majority leaders gave speeches on ethics as part of the session.
Democratic House leader Kenton Onstad says the national Center for Public Integrity gave North Dakota a failing grade when it comes to guarding against corruption. He says there's a perception the state doesn't do enough.
Onstad says Republicans and Democrats alike should support a new state ethics commission to root out possible wrongdoing.