ND HB1032

Creates new Chapter 40-18.1 establishing comprehensive requirements for municipal courts, including jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, with municipal courts becoming courts of record beginning July 1, 2026

Municipal judges in cities with population of 5,000+ must be licensed attorneys and city residents (unless waived by ordinance); judges in smaller cities have no such requirements and serve 4-year elected terms

Municipal courts lack jurisdiction over repeat DUI offenses (2+ prior convictions within 7 years or 3+ within 15 years), domestic violence offenses, and criminal offenses against juveniles, which must be transferred to district court

Defendants may request transfer to district court for jury trial within 28 days of arraignment; cities must provide prosecutors for contested Class B misdemeanor hearings and defense attorneys for indigent defendants

District courts gain jurisdiction over city ordinance enforcement in cities under 5,000 population without municipal courts, and cities may abolish municipal courts by resolution with cases transferring to district court