This bill amends section 31-01-16 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertains to the compensation and reimbursement of mileage and travel expenses for witnesses in civil and criminal cases. The bill establishes that witnesses are entitled to receive a daily compensation of twenty-five dollars for their attendance at court or other tribunals, excluding municipal court. Additionally, it specifies that witnesses will be reimbursed for mileage and travel expenses at the rates set for state employees.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the financial responsibilities for witness fees in criminal cases, stating that the attorney general will cover prosecution witness fees and expenses up to thirty thousand dollars per county per biennium. It also clarifies that the commission on legal counsel for indigents will pay witness fees for cases where counsel has been provided. Notably, the bill prohibits compensation for prisoners as witnesses and introduces a provision allowing counties to transfer unused reimbursement funds to one another, subject to the attorney general's approval, if a county exceeds its thirty thousand dollar limit during a biennium.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 31-01-16