The closure of a section line open for public travel.
Impact
The bill primarily impacts statutes governing public access and local road management. By giving the board of county commissioners the authority to close section lines that are no longer used or needed, the legislation potentially affects how public access to rural areas is managed. It may lead to improved land use efficiency and maintenance of infrastructure by allowing for the closure of under-utilized roads, shifting stewardship of these areas back to adjacent landowners after closure.
Summary
House Bill 1206 pertains to the closure of section lines that are open for public travel in North Dakota. It amends existing sections within the North Dakota Century Code to allow county commissioners to close certain section lines under specified conditions. This bill addresses section lines located outside the boundaries of incorporated cities, platted townsites, and subdivisions, defining them as public roads accessible to the public. It introduces a public hearing requirement and stipulates that closures must be justified by public benefit and determined through the commissioner's findings.
Contention
Discussions around HB 1206 likely involve debates on public accessibility versus the rights of adjacent landowners. Supporters argue that such closures can facilitate better land management and prevent unnecessary upkeep of roads that are not utilized. Critics might raise concerns about restricting public access to certain lands, highlighting the importance of maintaining these rights for residents who rely on these routes for travel. Given the rural context, the balance between local governance and public utility is a critical point of contention among stakeholders as the bill progresses.
Motor vehicle definitions, nondriver photo identification cards, operator's license applications, and expiration of operator's licenses; and to declare an emergency.
An information fund and continuing appropriation to pay publication and statistical processing expenses, organization claim file destruction, penalty for violation of a safety rule or regulation, and the retrospective rating program.
Definitions relating to multipassenger bicycles, driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, open container prohibition, and exempting multipassenger bicycles from the point system; to provide a penalty; and to declare an emergency.
A transfer of Bank of North Dakota profits to a water infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a report; to provide a penalty; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
The amount of statutory fees, speed limitations on multilane highways, variable speed limits, alteration of maximum speed limits on state highways, speed zone reduction limitations, and city fines and penalties; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide a penalty.