This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to transfer the administration of the state bonding fund from the insurance commissioner to the office of management and budget. It establishes a continuing appropriation for the fund, which will now be managed by the office, and introduces new provisions for collecting assessments from state agencies and political subdivisions based on the fund's balance. The office will also be responsible for contracting administrative services and ensuring adequate coverage for public employees and officials. Additionally, the bill repeals several sections related to the previous management structure and updates definitions and procedures for filing claims against the fund, including automatic coverage for new employees and public officials under blanket bonds.

Moreover, the bill grants the state auditor the authority to investigate state agencies or political subdivisions when fund interests are jeopardized, evaluate blanket bond coverage, and recommend changes, with costs incurred during investigations covered by the fund. It establishes a one-year timeframe for initiating actions against the fund after presenting a claim and clarifies conditions for securing additional bond coverage. New requirements for public officials and employees include prohibiting the use of public funds for personal bonds and necessitating the filing of evidence for any additional bonds with the office. The bill aims to enhance accountability and oversight of public officials while ensuring the integrity of the bonding fund by streamlining regulations and repealing outdated sections of existing law.

Statutes affected:
PREFILED: 23-24-07, 26.1-01-03, 26.1-21-01, 26.1-21-02, 26.1-21-04, 26.1-21-07, 26.1-21-09.1, 26.1-21-10, 26.1-21-11, 26.1-21-12, 26.1-21-14, 26.1-21-16, 26.1-21-18, 26.1-21-19, 26.1-21-21, 26.1-21-23, 61-06-08, 61-16.1-05
Enrollment: 23-24-07, 26.1-01-03, 26.1-21-01, 26.1-21-02, 26.1-21-04, 26.1-21-07, 26.1-21-09.1, 26.1-21-10, 26.1-21-11, 26.1-21-12, 26.1-21-14, 26.1-21-16, 26.1-21-18, 26.1-21-19, 26.1-21-21, 26.1-21-23, 61-06-08, 61-16.1-05
INTRODUCED: 23-24-07, 26.1-01-03, 26.1-21-01, 26.1-21-02, 26.1-21-04, 26.1-21-07, 26.1-21-09.1, 26.1-21-10, 26.1-21-11, 26.1-21-12, 26.1-21-14, 26.1-21-16, 26.1-21-18, 26.1-21-19, 26.1-21-21, 26.1-21-23, 61-06-08, 61-16.1-05