ND SB2382

Creates a new chapter in North Dakota law establishing a formal system to identify and restrict "vexatious litigants" who abuse the court system through harassment, frivolous filings, or relitigating previously decided matters

Defines a vexatious litigant as someone who has lost at least two cases involving vexatious conduct in the past seven years, repeatedly relitigates decided matters, files unmeritorious motions, or has been declared vexatious by another court

Requires courts to issue prefiling orders against vexatious litigants (found by preponderance of evidence) that prohibit filing new lawsuits or documents without prior court approval

Mandates vexatious litigants pay all litigation costs plus the opposing party's reasonable attorney fees, including costs of obtaining the prefiling order

Passed the Senate 42-2 and House 72-21; declared an emergency measure for immediate effect, with existing supreme court prefiling orders remaining valid after August 1, 2025