# Title 54 — State Government

## Chapter 54-55 — Commission on Uniform State Laws

### § 54-55-01. Commission on uniform state laws - Membership.

1. The commission on uniform state laws consists of:
a. An individual engaged in the practice of law in this state;
b. The dean or a full-time member of the faculty of the law school of the university of
North Dakota;
c. A law-trained judge of a court of record in this state;
d. A member of the house of representatives;
e. A member of the senate; and
f. A member of the legislative council.
2. The attorney general may appoint a member of the commission. The commission also
consists of any residents of this state who, because of long service in the cause of
uniformity of state legislation, have been elected life members of the national
conference of commissioners on uniform state laws, also known as the national
uniform laws commission, and may also consist of any residents of this state who have
been previously appointed to at least five years of service on the commission.
3. Except for the member appointed by the attorney general, the members of the
legislative assembly, the member of the legislative council, any members appointed
under subsection 9, and life members, commissioners must be appointed by the
governor for terms of four years each and shall serve until their respective successors
are appointed.
4. The members of the legislative assembly on the commission must be appointed by the
legislative management for a term not to exceed two years as prescribed by the
legislative management, and the member of the legislative council must be appointed
by the chairman of the legislative management.
5. The term of a commissioner commences on the first day of September.
6. The term of the member appointed by the attorney general may not extend beyond the
term of that attorney general.
7. All commissioners must be residents of the state, except for the commissioners who
have been elected life members of the national conference of commissioners on
uniform state laws.
8. To be eligible for appointment, an individual must be a licensed attorney and in good
standing with the state bar association of North Dakota at the time of first appointment.
9. If a member of the house of representatives or the senate is not eligible to serve as a
commissioner under this chapter, the legislative management may appoint an
individual who is eligible.
### § 54-55-02. Vacancies.

The office of any appointed commissioner becomes vacant upon death, resignation, or
failure or refusal to serve. The appointing authority shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy
for the unexpired term of the former appointee.
### § 54-55-03. Meeting and organization.

The commissioners shall meet at least once each two-year period and shall elect a
chairman, vice chairman, and a secretary. The officers elected under this section shall hold their
respective offices for a term of two years and until their successors are elected.
### § 54-55-04. Duties of commissioners and commission.

1. Each commissioner shall attend the annual meeting of the national conference of
commissioners on uniform state laws, also known as the national uniform law
commission, and shall promote uniformity in state laws on those subjects where
uniformity may be deemed desirable and practicable. The commission shall also

promote as far as practicable the uniform judicial application and construction of all
uniform state laws.
2. During the interim between legislative sessions, the commission may submit its
recommendations for enactment of uniform and model laws to the legislative
management for its review and recommendation. Commissioners shall provide the
assistance to the legislative management as the legislative management requests with
respect to its review of uniform and model laws.
3. During each biennial legislative session, and at any other time as the commission may
deem proper, the commission shall report to the legislative assembly an account of its
transactions and its advice and recommendations for legislation. The report must
include the recommendations of the legislative management with respect to uniform
and model laws recommended by the commission.
### § 54-55-05. No compensation for commissioners - Commissioners entitled to

reimbursement.
1. Except as provided for members of the legislative assembly under section 54-03-20,
the commissioners shall serve without compensation for services as commissioners.
2. The commissioners who are appointed to the commission and the commissioners who
have been elected life members of the national conference of commissioners on
uniform state laws, also known as the national uniform law commission, are entitled to
be reimbursed, from moneys appropriated for that purpose, for necessary expenses
incurred in performing their duties at the rates provided in sections 44-08-04 and
54-06-09.
3. Warrant-checks for expense reimbursement must be prepared by the office of
management and budget upon vouchers submitted by the commissioners.
