This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to clarify the powers and procedures for home rule counties and cities, particularly in relation to election laws and local government authority. It introduces new language that allows home rule charters and ordinances to supersede conflicting state laws, with the exception of election-related matters, which are deemed void if they conflict with state law. The bill emphasizes that charters and ordinances should be broadly interpreted to cover all local issues unless restricted by law. Additionally, it outlines the powers of home rule entities, including tax levying and financial management, while removing previous provisions that allowed local governments to handle all election matters, instead focusing on establishing signature thresholds for nominating petitions for city office candidates.

Moreover, the bill modifies Section 40-49-07 concerning the election and qualifications of park commissioners, mandating that members be qualified electors of the city and elected by the park district's qualified electors. It specifies that the initial board can be elected during a regular or special city election, while subsequent boards must be elected during regular elections. Newly elected members are required to qualify by July 1 following their election. The bill also permits the board of park commissioners to collaborate with the city governing body on election-related tasks and allows them to adopt the same signature threshold for nominating petitions as set by the city governing board.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 11-09.1-04, 40-05.1-05
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Kasper: 11-09.1-04, 11-09.1-05, 40-05.1-05, 40-05.1-06
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 11-09.1-04, 11-09.1-05, 40-05.1-05, 40-05.1-06
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Roers: 11-09.1-04, 11-09.1-05, 40-05.1-05, 40-05.1-06, 40-49-07
Enrollment: 11-09.1-04, 11-09.1-05, 40-05.1-05, 40-05.1-06, 40-49-07