This bill amends sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to the awarding of costs and fees in eminent domain proceedings. Key changes include the stipulation that public corporations must pay the full amount of damages awarded in a judgment within six months of the ruling. Additionally, if a public corporation dismisses the action before judgment, the court is required to award the defendant reasonable costs, which now explicitly include attorney's fees and costs for retaining an expert witness during the condemnation process.

Further amendments clarify that the court has the authority to award reasonable costs to defendants, including interest and expert witness fees, and outlines the conditions under which costs may be taxed against a defendant if they appeal and do not prevail. The bill also specifies that if eminent domain proceedings are withdrawn or dismissed without agreement from the defendant, the initiating party is liable for all associated costs, including attorney's fees and expert witness costs, as determined by the court.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 32-15-28, 32-15-32, 32-15-35