This bill appropriates funds to the North Dakota Attorney General's office for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, with a total budget of $114,722,230. It includes base level enhancements for salaries, operating expenses, and various grants, such as those for human trafficking victims and forensic nurse examiners. Notably, the bill introduces a new line item for law enforcement funding amounting to $3,377,659 and specifies that the attorney general may not spend funds from the new and vacant full-time equivalent (FTE) pool without a transfer request. Additionally, it mandates a report to the legislative assembly regarding the use of one-time funding items.

The bill also amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code, including changes to witness compensation, the attorney general's salary, and the collection of fees for the twenty-four seven sobriety program. It establishes that the attorney general shall pay prosecution witness fees up to $30,000 per county per biennium and prohibits district court judges from waiving sobriety program fees. Furthermore, it allows for the enforcement of the master settlement agreement related to tobacco funds and provides exemptions for certain funding arrangements and unexpended appropriations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the operational capacity of the Attorney General's office while ensuring accountability and proper funding allocation.

Statutes affected:
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Nathe: 31-01-16, 54-12-11
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 31-01-16, 54-12-11
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Committee: 31-01-16, 54-12-11, 54-12-30
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee: 31-01-16, 54-12-11, 54-12-30
Enrollment: 31-01-16, 54-12-11, 54-12-30, 54-27-25