ND HB1244

Amends vacancy-filling procedures for North Dakota legislative seats to distinguish between vacancies occurring during regular sessions versus when the legislature is not in session.

During regular sessions, the district political party committee has 21 days to appoint a replacement; if they fail to do so or the member was elected as an independent, the legislative management chairman appoints someone to fill the vacancy.

When vacancies occur outside of regular sessions, the governor must issue a writ of election if a regular session will occur before the next general election, or direct a special election to coincide with the general election if no regular session intervenes.

Special elections to fill vacancies must be called by the fifteenth day before candidate filing deadlines and cannot be scheduled within 80 days following the next regular session's adjournment.

Requires the secretary of state to be notified of all appointments and to issue the appointee a certificate of appointment and oath of office; amends resignation procedures to require the governor be notified when members resign outside of session.