The bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the attorney recruitment and retention program. Key changes include the insertion of "and retention" in multiple sections, emphasizing the program's dual focus on not only recruiting attorneys but also retaining them in rural counties and municipalities. Eligibility criteria for counties and municipalities have been updated, removing the specific population cap for counties and instead requiring that they have licensed attorneys residing within them. Additionally, the bill establishes a continuing appropriation for the attorney recruitment and retention assistance program fund, ensuring that funds collected are allocated for attorney payments under the program.

The bill outlines the process for counties and municipalities to apply for participation, the assessment criteria used by the supreme court to evaluate applicants, and the requirements for attorneys to participate in the program. It specifies that participating attorneys must practice in selected areas for at least five consecutive years and may receive an incentive payment of $45,000, distributed in five annual installments. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for repayment if an attorney breaches the agreement and clarifies that individuals who have previously participated in similar programs are ineligible for this program.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 27-02.2-01, 27-02.2-02, 27-02.2-03, 27-02.2-04, 27-02.2-05, 27-02.2-06, 27-02.2-09, 27-02.2-10, 27-02.2-11
Enrollment: 27-02.2-01, 27-02.2-02, 27-02.2-03, 27-02.2-04, 27-02.2-05, 27-02.2-06, 27-02.2-09, 27-02.2-10, 27-02.2-11