North Dakota House Bill HB1187

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/25
• Refer: 1/7/25
• Report DNP: 1/22/25

Caption

A debris removal lien.

Impact

The bill has significant implications for the relationship between property owners and local government. By providing a clear mechanism for creating a lien on insurance proceeds, HB 1187 ensures that cities or counties can recover the costs they might incur when assisting property owners in debris removal or remediation after fire-related damages. This provision is essential for maintaining the infrastructure and cleanliness of communities recovering from disasters.

Summary

House Bill 1187 establishes a lien process relating to debris removal following a total loss claim under a fire insurance policy for real property in North Dakota. The bill mandates that when an insurance company pays a claim for a total loss, a lien is created on the insurance proceeds, which favors the municipality (city or county) where the property is located. This lien gives local authorities the ability to recover costs associated with debris removal and remediation related to the insured property.

Contention

During the discussions surrounding HB 1187, some members expressed concerns regarding the fairness of creating such liens. Critics argue that while the intention is to facilitate recovery efforts, this could lead to unintended financial burdens for property owners, particularly if they feel pressured to resolve liens before fully assessing the extent of damages or recovering from losses. Nevertheless, supporters assert that the benefits of having a formalized lien process outweigh these concerns, as it allows local governments to efficiently manage recovery efforts.

Provisions

HB 1187 includes several key provisions concerning the notification process for the lien, including requirements for insurance companies to inform both the city/county and the policyholder about the claim's details. The bill outlines the timeline for filing a notice of lien, stipulating that a failure to do so within a specified period does not preclude local governments from seeking other legal remedies related to the property.