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HB 1444

relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Melissa Litchfield and 4 co-sponsors

HB 1444 formalizes notice and public input when county boards may add township roads to the county system, requiring a decision at the next scheduled meeting after a public input s

Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 95; eff. 07/27/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1444

Bill Summary — HB 1444 (North Dakota)

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 24‑05‑17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the county road system

Purpose / intent

The bill clarifies and slightly adjusts the procedure by which county boards add local (township) roads to the county road system. It reaffirms county commissioners’ exclusive authority over the county road system while prescribing notice, public input, and timing steps when the board seeks to assume jurisdiction of a township road.

Key provisions

  • Confirms that boards of county commissioners have the sole authority and responsibility to acquire land for, construct, maintain, and operate the county road system (NDCC §24‑05‑17).
  • When a county board determines a local road meets the statutory criteria (per NDCC §24‑05‑16) and is under township jurisdiction, the board must:
    • Notify the township of its intent to add the road to the county system; and
    • Hold a public meeting to receive input on that intended addition.
  • After the public meeting the board must make a decision about adding the road at its subsequent scheduled meeting (language replaces prior “next scheduled meeting,” clarifying the decision will occur at the following scheduled meeting after the public meeting).

Who is affected

  • County boards of commissioners — retains and clarifies their decision‑making role and adds a defined public‑process step for assumed road additions.
  • Township boards/officials — must receive formal notice when a county board intends to add a road and may present input at the public meeting.
  • Residents, landowners, and road users in affected townships — gain an explicit public meeting opportunity before a final county decision is taken.
  • No changes to funding, maintenance standards, or substantive criteria for adding roads are made.

Procedural / timeline aspects and current status

  • The statutory change governs the sequence: notification → public meeting to receive input → decision at the subsequent scheduled county board meeting.
  • Legislative actions shown in the record indicate the bill passed both chambers, was enrolled, signed by the Governor, and filed with the Secretary of State (filed with Secretary of State 04/03; noted as Act 548).
  • The amendment is primarily procedural; it does not create new funding obligations or change the substantive legal test for when a road may be added to the county system.

Practical effect

HB 1444 formalizes local notice and public‑input steps and slightly extends the decision timeline following the public meeting (by specifying the decision be made at the subsequent scheduled meeting). The change increases transparency and allows additional time for consideration before a county board finalizes jurisdictional transfers of township roads.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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