SB2252 Summary

• Abolishes all five judicial referee positions in North Dakota as positions are vacated by current referees, with a deadline of January 1, 2029 for complete abolition.

• Requires establishment of one additional district court judgeship for each abolished judicial referee position, filled through gubernatorial appointment under state constitutional provisions.

• Removes all references to judicial referees from North Dakota Century Code across multiple chapters and statutes governing civil procedure, juvenile court, contempt of court, execution proceedings, and small claims court.

• Repeals sections 27-05-30 and 27-08.1-08 relating specifically to judicial referee authority and appointment procedures.

• Effective date is January 1, 2029 for all provisions except sections 1-4 which also become effective on that same date.