The bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code to introduce and establish the North Dakota statewide coordinate system of 2022 and the North Dakota low-distortion coordinate system of 2022, which will be used alongside the existing coordinate systems from 1927 and 1983. The new statewide coordinate system will consist of a single zone, while the low-distortion coordinate system will be divided into sixteen specific zones based on county boundaries. The bill also outlines naming conventions for these systems in land descriptions and provides detailed definitions for their origins, projections, and coordinates, aiming to enhance the accuracy and usability of geographic referencing in land surveying and mapping.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 47-20.2-06 to limit the use of the older coordinate systems and mandates that any maps, reports, or documents utilizing the new systems must include a statement of accuracy linked to the national spatial reference system. It also requires that coordinate values in land descriptions be certified by a registered professional land surveyor, ensuring adherence to established standards. This modernization effort is intended to improve the precision of land surveying practices across the state.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 47-20.2-01, 47-20.2-02, 47-20.2-05, 47-20.2-06
Adopted by the Senate State and Local Government Committee: 47-20.2-01, 47-20.2-02, 47-20.2-03, 47-20.2-05, 47-20.2-06
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 47-20.2-01, 47-20.2-02, 47-20.2-03, 47-20.2-05, 47-20.2-06
Enrollment: 47-20.2-01, 47-20.2-02, 47-20.2-03, 47-20.2-05, 47-20.2-06