This bill aims to prohibit the approval of development agreements involving foreign adversaries by county and city boards, as well as state entities in North Dakota. It amends existing sections of the North Dakota Century Code, specifically sections 11-11-70 and 40-05-26, to include new penalties for violations. The bill specifies that no development agreements can be made with individuals or governments identified as foreign adversaries under the relevant federal regulations or those on the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list. However, exceptions are made for foreign adversaries that are duly registered businesses in good standing for at least seven years, have been approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and maintain an active national security agreement with the federal government.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section to chapter 54-06, which outlines the same prohibitions and penalties for state entities. It mandates that if a complaint is filed regarding a violation, the county sheriff and state's attorney must investigate and report the matter to the appropriate intelligence centers and the FBI. Violators of this law would be guilty of a class C felony and would be prohibited from holding any office in the state. The amendments and new provisions collectively strengthen the legal framework against foreign adversaries in development agreements within North Dakota.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 11-11-70, 40-05-26