This bill proposes the establishment of a "feather alert notice system" in North Dakota, aimed at quickly disseminating information about missing Indigenous individuals through the emergency alert system. The highway patrol, in collaboration with the bureau of criminal investigation and the division of state radio, will be responsible for activating this alert when specific conditions are met, such as the missing individual being Indigenous and believed to be in imminent danger. The bill outlines the operational plan for the alert system, including the involvement of the Indian affairs commission as a liaison for tribal, state, and federal agencies, and mandates annual reporting on the system's effectiveness.

Additionally, the bill amends section 54-35-23 of the North Dakota Century Code to include the evaluation of the feather alert notice system as part of the duties of the committee on tribal and state relations. This committee will conduct joint meetings with the North Dakota tribal governments' task force to address various tribal-state issues and will prepare a report on their findings and recommendations regarding the feather alert system. The bill emphasizes the importance of community outreach and law enforcement training to promote understanding and trust in the new alert system.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-35-23
Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee: 54-35-23
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-35-23
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations Committee: 54-35-23
SECOND ENGROSSMENT: 54-35-23