The bill amends section 44-08-25 of the North Dakota Century Code to prohibit sanctuary city policies and establish a sanctuary compliance fund. It specifies that no state entity, political subdivision, or institution of higher education may adopt or implement any sanctuary policy that limits communication with federal immigration authorities, grants unlawful presence rights to noncitizens, or imposes conditions on cooperation with immigration enforcement. The bill also introduces new provisions that allow the attorney general to investigate complaints regarding violations, issue opinions on such violations, and withhold state funding from non-compliant political subdivisions, which will be deposited into the newly created sanctuary compliance fund.

Additionally, the bill outlines a process for political subdivisions to appeal the attorney general's findings and provides a mechanism for the return of withheld funds upon demonstrating compliance with the law. The sanctuary compliance fund will consist of all moneys withheld from non-compliant subdivisions and will be appropriated on a continuing basis for distribution to compliant entities. Any policies adopted in violation of this section will be deemed void.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 44-08-25
Adopted by the House Political Subdivisions Committee: 44-08-25
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 44-08-25
Enrollment: 44-08-25