# Title 43 — Industrial Commission

## Article 43-01 — General Administration

## Chapter 43-01-01 — Organization of Industrial Commission

### § 43-01-01-01. Organization of industrial commission.

1. History. The 1919 legislative assembly passed legislation, codified as North Dakota Century
Code chapter 54-17, creating the industrial commission of North Dakota. The industrial
commission was created to conduct and manage, on behalf of the state of North Dakota,
certain utilities, industries, enterprises, and business projects established by law.
The 1953 legislative assembly passed oil and gas conservation legislation, codified as North
Dakota Century Code chapter 38-08, which gave the industrial commission jurisdiction and
authority over all persons and property, public and private, necessary to enforce the provisions
of the legislation.
The 1967 legislative assembly passed legislation, codified as North Dakota Century Code
chapter 38-12, for the regulation, development, and production of subsurface minerals. It gave
the industrial commission jurisdiction and authority over all persons and property, public and
private, necessary to enforce the provisions of the legislation.
The 1975 legislative assembly passed legislation, codified as North Dakota Century Code
chapter 38-12.1, requiring the filing of coal exploration data with the state geologist. It gave
the industrial commission jurisdiction and authority over all persons and property, public and
private, necessary to enforce the provisions of the legislation.
The 1989 legislative assembly passed legislation, codified as North Dakota Century Code
chapter 54-17.4, transferring jurisdiction and authority over the geological survey from the
board of higher education to the industrial commission. The geological survey serves as the
primary source of geological information in the state.
The industrial commission is responsible for establishing the criteria for submission and
consideration of research, development, and marketing proposals and entering into contracts
under the lignite research, development, and marketing program.
2. Industrial commission membership and quorum. The industrial commission consists of the
governor, the attorney general, and the commissioner of agriculture. The governor and one
member constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
3. Chairman and attorney for the industrial commission. The governor is the chairman of the
industrial commission, and its attorney is the attorney general of the state. In its transaction of
its general business, the industrial commission may employ secretaries and other subordinate
officers, clerks, and agents, on such terms as it may deem proper, appointing and discharging
all persons so engaged when and as, in its judgment, the public interest may require.
4. Inquiries. Inquiries regarding the industrial commission may be addressed to the executive
director and secretary for the commission:

Mrs. Karlene Fine
State Capitol
600 East Boulevard
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
History: Amended effective March 1, 1992; April 1, 1994.
General Authority: NDCC 28-32-02.1
Law Implemented: NDCC 28-32-02.1
