# Title 48 — Public Buildings

## Chapter 48-08 — Restrictions on Use of Public Buildings

### § 48-08-01. Rental of hall and provision of funds by taxation.

The city council or board of city commissioners of any city, the board of supervisors of any
township, or the school board of any school district, in this chapter designated as the governing
board, may pay the rental of any hall or auditorium, when it is used in such municipality for any
public meeting or purpose and no charge is made for admission, and annually may provide by
taxation a sum sufficient to defray any such expense for rental as may be anticipated for the
coming year. This section does not apply to any city where there exists a public hall owned by
the municipality suitable for the purpose.
### § 48-08-02. May pay rental out of other funds until tax available.

Until such funds as are provided by section 48-08-01 shall become available, any such
governing board shall pay out of funds on hand not otherwise appropriated or required such
sums as may be deemed a fair rental for any hall or auditorium when used for a public meeting.
### § 48-08-02.1. Designation of memorial hall.

The area on the first floor of the state capitol from the legislative assembly hall on the west,
past the double stairway, to the brass columns on the east, is designated as memorial hall.
### § 48-08-03. Media room in state capitol.

The director of the office of management and budget shall set aside a room in the state
capitol for the exclusive use of the media and shall place the North Dakota newspaper
association and North Dakota broadcasters association jointly in charge of the room.
### § 48-08-04. Use of legislative assembly rooms and halls.

During the interim between legislative sessions, the committee rooms, halls, passageways,
and other space in the capitol used by the legislative assembly, including the pioneer room, the
coteau room, the Sheyenne River room, judicial wing room 216, and judicial wing rooms 327 B,
C, and E, may not be used without authorization of the legislative council.
### § 48-08-05. Federal agencies charged for light, heat, and janitor service.

The director of the office of management and budget shall fix and determine a fair and
reasonable monthly charge for light, heat, and janitor service to be paid by each federal agency
located and transacting business in the capitol.
### § 48-08-06. Lease of public buildings - Authorized.

The governing body of any county, city, or township may permit the use of or may lease any
public building or any part of a public building under its charge for any legal purpose, giving
equal opportunity to all persons, and without religious or political distinctions, and may make
such reasonable rules and restrictions on the use of such building as may seem necessary, and
shall fix proper rentals and fees for such use. Such governing body, in its discretion, may require
a bond from the lessee or user of such building, conditioned upon the payment of charges made
for such lease or use and indemnifying the county, city, or township against damage or
destruction of or to such building or any part thereof.
### § 48-08-07. Lease of public buildings - Terms.

No lease of any public building or part of any public building under the provisions of section
ordinance or by resolution of the board of county commissioners. Such lease must be to a
responsible party offering the highest return to the political subdivision and the use or
occupation of the building may not interfere with the use of such building for public purposes.
The governing body may reserve the right to reject any and all bids.

### § 48-08-08. State, county, or local municipal buildings - Space for disaster activities.

The director of the office of management and budget and any other group, board, or
commission having control of the use of any state, county, or local municipal buildings are
authorized to provide space for emergency operating centers and disaster offices in such
buildings.
