All Roll Calls
Yes: 118 • No: 19
North DakotaSB 22112025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 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, and 27-02.2-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the attorney recruitment and retention program.
Sponsored By: Brad Bekkedahl (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Break the deal, repay everything
If an attorney breaks the agreement, they must repay all program money they received. The Supreme Court sets the repayment terms. Not paying back can lead to discipline by the Supreme Court.
Cash incentive for rural attorneys
Attorneys licensed in North Dakota can apply if they meet Court rules. If selected, they get $45,000, paid as five yearly payments of $9,000. The agreement must be approved by the Supreme Court and requires full-time practice in the chosen county or city for at least five straight years. No more than eight attorneys can be in the program at once. You cannot join if you already received similar state or federal aid that required service in an underserved area.
How rural places join the program
The North Dakota Supreme Court runs a program to help rural counties and towns recruit lawyers. Counties and cities must apply. The Court checks need and whether the place can support a lawyer, and considers demographics, bar size and age, a judge’s recommendation, local economic programs, location, and past participation. The Court keeps and updates a list as needs change. A county can join only if it has a population of sixteen thousand five or fewer, agrees to pay its share, and the Court approves. A city can join only if it has 5,000 or fewer people, agrees to pay its share, and the Court approves.
Who pays and payment timing
The county or city must pay 35% of the $45,000 incentive in five equal yearly payments. The state bar, bar foundation, or another North Dakota legal group pays 15% of each year’s installment to the Court. After the county certifies its payment and the legal group pays, the Supreme Court pays the rest of that year’s amount to the attorney. The Court can pay attorneys only if the Legislature appropriates the money. The law also creates a special fund in the state treasury to hold program money for payments.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brad Bekkedahl
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Zachary Ista
Democratic • House
Lawrence R. Klemin
Republican • House
Mary Schneider
Democratic • House
David Hogue
Republican • Senate
Diane Larson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/11/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 73 nays 17
Yes: 73 • No: 17
Senate vote • 2/7/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2
Yes: 45 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18
3/20/2025HouseSigned by Governor 03/18
3/18/2025SenateSent to Governor
3/17/2025SenateSigned by President
3/17/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
3/14/2025HouseReturned to Senate
3/12/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 73 nays 17
3/11/2025HouseReported back, do pass, place on calendar 11 0 2
3/7/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 02:30
3/6/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Political Subdivisions Committee
2/18/2025HouseReceived from Senate
2/10/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2
2/7/2025SenateReported back, do pass, place on calendar 5 0 0
2/6/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:45
1/31/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Workforce Development Committee
1/15/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrollment
INTRODUCED
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