1.    Any two or more counties may create a county consolidation committee:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 11-05.1-01

  • Committee membership: Legislators are assigned to specific committees by their party. Seniority, regional balance, and political philosophy are the most prominent factors in the committee assignment process.
  • Joint resolution: A legislative measure which requires the approval of both chambers.
  • Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

a.    By entering into a joint powers agreement or by joint resolution pursuant to separate majority votes of the participating boards of county commissioners; or

b.    By direct initiative through petitions signed by ten percent or more of the total number of qualified electors of each county voting for governor at the most recent gubernatorial election.

2.    The composition of the committee is as prescribed in the joint powers agreement or joint resolution, or as the composition or manner for determining the composition is prescribed in the petition. However, the committee membership must include at least one resident of each incorporated city in each county.

3.    Any vacancy may be filled as prescribed in the agreement or resolution or, if not prescribed, by the board of county commissioners of the county that was represented by the person vacating the position.

4.    The committee has at least one hundred twenty days in which to consider and file its final report. After one hundred twenty days, the committee may be discharged by motion of either board of county commissioners.