54-01.1 Relocation Assistance - North Dakota Statutes

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CHAPTER 54-01.1RELOCATION ASSISTANCE54-01.1-01. Declaration of policy. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniformpolicy for the fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced as a direct result of programs or
projects undertaken by a state agency so that displaced persons will not suffer disproportionate
injuries as a result of programs and projects designed for the benefit of the public as a whole and
to minimize the hardship of displacement by the acquisition of real property by state and local
land acquisition programs, by federally assisted building code enforcement programs, or by a
program of voluntary rehabilitation of buildings or other improvements conducted pursuant to
governmental supervision. The policy must be uniform as to:1.Relocation payment;2.Advisory assistance;3.Assurance of availability of standard housing; and4.State reimbursement for local relocation payments under state-assisted and local
programs.54-01.1-02. Definitions. As used in this chapter:1."Business" means any lawful activity, excepting a farm operation, conducted
primarily:a.For the purchase, sale, lease, and rental of personal and real property and for
the manufacture, processing, or marketing of products, commodities, or any
other personal property;b.For the sale of services to the public;c.By a nonprofit organization; ord.For the purposes of subsection 1 of section 54-01.1-03, for assisting in the
purchase, sale, resale, manufacture, processing, or marketing of products,
commodities, personal property, or services by the erection and maintenance
of an outdoor advertising display or displays, whether or not such display or
displays are located on the premises on which any of the above-mentioned
activities are conducted.2."Comparable replacement dwelling" means any dwelling that is:a.Decent, safe, and sanitary;b.Adequate in size to accommodate the occupants;c.Within the financial means of the displaced person;d.Functionally equivalent;e.In the area not subject to reasonably adverse environmental conditions; andf.In a location generally not less desirable than the location of the displaced
person's dwelling with respect to public utilities, facilities, services, and the
displaced person's place of employment.3."Displaced person", except as provided in subdivision c, means:Page No. 1a.Any person who moves from real property or moves the person's personal
property from real property:(1)As a direct result of a written notice of intent to acquire or the acquisition
of the real property in whole or in part for a program or project
undertaken by a displacing agency; or(2)On which the person is a residential tenant or conducts a small business,
a farm operation, or a business defined in subdivision d of subsection 1,
as a direct result of rehabilitation, demolition, or other displacing activity
the state agency prescribes, under a program or project undertaken by a
displacing agency in any case in which the displacing agency determines
that the displacement is permanent.b.Solely for the purposes of subsections 1 and 2 of section 54-01.1-03 and
section 54-01.1-06, any person who moves from real property or moves the
person's personal property from real property:(1)As a direct result of a written notice of intent to acquire or the acquisition
of other real property, in whole or in part, on which the person conducts a
business or farm operation, for a program or project undertaken by a
displacing agency; or(2)As a direct result of rehabilitation, demolition, or other displacing activity
the state agency prescribes, of other real property on which the person
conducts a business or a farm operation, under a program or project
undertaken by a displacing agency when the displacing agency
determines that the displacement is permanent.c.The term "displaced person" does not include:(1)A person who has been determined, according to criteria established by
the state agency, to be either unlawfully occupying the displacement
dwelling or to have occupied the dwelling for the purpose of obtaining
assistance under this chapter; or(2)In any case in which the displacing agency acquires property for a
program or project, any person, other than a person who was an
occupant of such property at the time it was acquired, who occupies the
property on a rental basis for a short term or a period subject to
termination when the property is needed for the program or project.4."Displacing agency" means the state, state agency, or person carrying out a federal
or state financially assisted program or project that causes a person to be a
displaced person.5."Farm operation" means any activity conducted solely or primarily for the production
of one or more agricultural products or commodities, including timber, for sale or
home use, and customarily producing such products or commodities in sufficient
quantity to be capable of contributing materially to the operator's support.6."Federally assisted" means receiving federal financial assistance in the form of a
grant, loan, or contribution, except any federal guarantee or insurance, or any
interest reduction payment to an individual in connection with the purchase and
occupancy of a residence by that individual.7."Mortgage" means such classes of liens as are commonly given to secure advances
on, or the unpaid purchase price of, real property, under the laws of the state inPage No. 2which the real property is located, together with the credit instruments, if any,
secured thereby.8."Nonprofit organization" means a corporation organized under chapter 10-33 or an
organization defined in subsection 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 of section 57-02-08.9."Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or
association.10."State agency" means any department, agency, or instrumentality of the state or of a
political subdivision of the state; any department, agency, or instrumentality of two or
more states; or two or more political subdivisions of the state or states; and any
person who has the authority to acquire property by eminent domain under state
law.54-01.1-03. Moving and related expenses.1.Whenever a program or project to be undertaken by a displacing agency will result in
the displacement of any person, the displacing agency shall provide for the payment
to the displaced person of:a.Actual, reasonable expenses in moving the displaced person and the displaced
person's family, business, farm operation, or other personal property;b.Actual, direct losses of tangible personal property as a result of moving or
discontinuing a business or farm operation, but not to exceed an amount equal
to the reasonable expenses that would have been required to relocate such
property, as determined by the state agency;c.Actual, reasonable expenses in searching for a replacement business or farm;
andd.Actual, reasonable expenses necessary to reestablish a displaced farm,
nonprofit organization, or small business at its new site, as determined by
criteria established by the state agency.2.Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection 1 who is displaced
from a dwelling and who elects to accept the payments authorized by this subsection
in lieu of the payments authorized by subsection 1 may receive a moving expense
allowance, determined according to a schedule established by the state agency.3.Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection 1, who is displaced
from the person's place of business or farm operation and is eligible under criteria
established by the state agency, may elect to accept the payment authorized by this
subsection in lieu of the payment authorized by subsection 1. The payment must
consist of a fixed payment in an amount to be determined according to criteria
established by the state agency. A person whose sole business at the displacement
dwelling is the rental of the property to others does not qualify for a payment under
this subsection.54-01.1-04. Replacement housing for homeowners.1.In addition to payments otherwise authorized by this chapter, the displacing agency
shall make an additional payment not in excess of twenty-two thousand five hundred
dollars to any displaced person who is displaced from a dwelling actually owned and
occupied by the displaced person for not less than one hundred eighty days prior to
the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the property.The additionalpayment must include the following elements:Page No. 3a.The amount, if any, which, when added to the acquisition cost of the dwelling
acquired, equals the reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling;b.The amount, if any, which will compensate the displaced person for any
increased interest costs and other debt service costs which the person is
required to pay for financing the acquisition of a comparable replacement
dwelling.The amount may be paid only if the dwelling acquired wasencumbered by a bona fide mortgage which was a valid lien on the dwelling for
not less than one hundred eighty days prior to the initiation of negotiations for
the acquisition of the dwelling; andc.Reasonable expenses incurred by the displaced person for evidence of title,
recording fees, and other closing costs incident to the purchase of the
replacement dwelling, but not including prepaid expenses.2.The additional payment authorized by this section may be made only to a displaced
person who purchases and occupies a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement
dwelling within one year after the date on which the displaced person receives final
payment from the displacing agency for the acquired dwelling or the date on which
the displacing agency's obligation under section 54-01.1-07 is met, whichever is the
later date, except that the displacing agency may extend the period for good cause.
If the period is extended, the payment under this section must be based on the costs
of relocating the person to a comparable replacement dwelling within one year of
such date.54-01.1-05. Replacement housing for tenants and certain others.1.In addition to amounts otherwise authorized by this chapter, a displacing agency
shall make a payment to or for any displaced person displaced from any dwelling not
eligible to receive a payment under section 54-01.1-04, which dwelling was actually
and lawfully occupied by the displaced person for not less than ninety days prior to:a.The initiation of negotiations for acquisition of such dwelling; orb.In any case in which displacement is not a direct result of acquisition, such
other event as the state agency may prescribe.The payment must consist of the amount necessary to enable the person to lease or
rent for a period not to exceed forty-two months, a comparable replacement
dwelling, but not to exceed five thousand two hundred fifty dollars. At the discretion
of the displacing agency, a payment under this subsection may be made in periodic
installments.Computation of a payment under this subsection to a low-incomedisplaced person for a comparable replacement dwelling must take into account
such person's income.2.Any person eligible for a payment under subsection 1 may elect to apply the
payment to a downpayment on, and other incidental expenses pursuant to, the
purchase of a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling. At the discretion of
the displacing agency, any such person may be eligible under this subsection for the
maximum payment allowed under subsection 1, except that, in the case of a
displaced homeowner who has owned and occupied the displacement dwelling for at
least ninety days but not more than one hundred eighty days immediately prior to
the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the dwelling, the payment may not
exceed the payment the person would otherwise have received under subsection 1
of section 54-01.1-04 had the person owned and occupied the displacement
dwelling one hundred eighty days immediately prior to the initiation of such
negotiations.54-01.1-06. Relocation assistance advisory programs.Page No. 41.Whenever the acquisition of real property for a program or project undertaken by a
displacing agency will result in the displacement of any person, the displacing
agency shall provide a relocation assistance advisory program for displaced persons
which shall offer the services prescribed in subsection 2. If the displacing agency
determines that any person occupying property immediately adjacent to the property
where the displacing activity occurs is caused substantial economic injury because
of the acquisition, it may offer the person relocation advisory services under the
program.2.Each relocation assistance program required by subsection 1 must include such
measures, facilities, or services as may be necessary or appropriate in order:a.To determine, and make timely recommendations on, the needs of displaced
persons for relocation assistance;b.To assist owners of displaced businesses and farm operations in obtaining and
becoming established in suitable business locations or replacement farms;c.To supply:(1)Information concerning programs of the federal, state, and local
governments offering assistance to displaced persons and business
concerns; and(2)Technical assistance to such persons in applying for assistance under
such programs;d.To assist in minimizing hardships to displaced persons in adjusting to
relocation;e.To secure, to the greatest extent practicable, the coordination of relocation
activities with other project activities and other planned or proposed
governmental actions in the community or nearby areas which may affect the
carrying out of the relocation program; andf.To provide current and continuing information on the availability, sales prices,
and rental charges of comparable replacement dwellings for displaced
homeowners and tenants and suitable locations for businesses and farm
operations.3.Programs or projects undertaken by a displacing agency must be planned in a
manner that:a.Recognizes, at an early stage in the planning of such programs or projects and
before the commencement of any actions that will cause displacements, the
problems associated with the displacement of individuals, families, businesses,
and farm operations; andb.Provides for the resolution of such problems in order to minimize adverse
impacts on displaced persons and to expedite program or project advancement
and completion.4.Notwithstanding subsection 3 of section 54-01.1-02, in any case in which a
displacing agency acquires property for a program or project, any person who
occupies that property on a rental basis, for a short term or a period subject to
termination when the property is needed for the program or project, is eligible for
advisory services to the extent determined by the displacing agency.54-01.1-07. Assurance of availability of housing.Page No. 51.If a program or project undertaken by a displacing agency cannot proceed on a
timely basis because comparable replacement dwellings are not available and the
head of the displacing agency determines that such dwellings cannot otherwise be
made available, the head of the displacing agency may take such action as is
necessary or appropriate to provide such dwellings by use of funds authorized for
such project. The displacing agency may use this section to exceed the maximum
amounts that may be paid under sections 54-01.1-04 and 54-01.1-05 on a
case-by-case basis for good cause as determined in accordance with section
54-01.1-08 regulations issued by the state agency.2.No person may be required to move from a dwelling on account of any program or
project undertaken by the displacing agency unless the displacing agency is satisfied
that comparable replacement housing is available to the person.3.The displacing agency shall assure that a person will not be required to move from a
dwelling unless the person has had a reasonable opportunity to relocate to a
comparable replacement dwelling, except in the case of:a.A major disaster as defined in section 102(2) of the Federal Disaster Relief Act
of 1974;b.A national emergency declared by the president; orc.Any other emergency that requires the person to move immediately from the
dwelling because continued occupancy of the dwelling by the person
constitutes a substantial danger to the health or safety of the person.54-01.1-08. Adoption of rules and regulations. State agencies may consult with thedepartment of commerce division of community services to establish regulations and procedures
for implementation of the provisions of this chapter and to establish such regulations and
procedures necessary to assure:1.That the payments and assistance authorized by this chapter shall be administered
in a manner which is fair and reasonable and as uniform as practicable;2.That a displaced person who makes proper application for a payment authorized by
this chapter shall be paid promptly after a move or, in hardship cases, be paid in
advance; and3.That any displaced person aggrieved by a determination as to eligibility for a
payment, or as to the amount of a payment, may have the application reviewed by
the head or governing body of the state agency.54-01.1-09. Administration. In order to prevent unnecessary expense and duplicationof functions, and to promote uniform and effective administration of relocation assistance
programs for displaced persons, the state agency may enter into contracts with any individual,
firm, association, corporation, or limited liability company for services in connection with those
programs, or may carry out its functions under this chapter through any federal agency or any
department or instrumentality of the state or its political subdivisions having an established
organization for conducting relocation assistance programs. The state agency shall, in carrying
out relocation activities described in section 54-01.1-08, whenever practicable, utilize the services
of state or local housing agencies, or other agencies having experience in the administration or
conduct of similar housing assistance activities.54-01.1-10. Fund availability. Funds appropriated or otherwise available to any stateagency for the acquisition of real property or any interest therein for a particular program or
project shall also be available to carry out the provisions of this chapter as applied to that
program or project. No payment or assistance under this chapter is required to be made to any
person or included as a program or project cost under this section, if the person receives aPage No. 6payment required by federal, state, or local law which is determined by the state agency to have
substantially the same purpose effect as the payment under this chapter.54-01.1-11. State participation in cost of local relocation payments and services. Ifa political subdivision acquires real property, and state financial assistance is available to pay the
cost, in whole or part, of the acquisition of that real property, or of the improvement for which the
property is acquired, the cost to the political subdivision of providing the payments and services
prescribed by this chapter must be included as part of the costs of the project for which state
financial assistance is available and the political subdivision shall be eligible for state financial
assistance for relocation payments and services in the same manner and to the same extent as
other project costs.54-01.1-12. Displacement by federally assisted building code enforcement or byvoluntary rehabilitation.A person who moves or discontinues a business or moves otherpersonal property, or moves from a dwelling as the direct result of a federally assisted building
code enforcement program, or of a program of rehabilitation of buildings conducted pursuant to a
governmental program, is deemed to be a displaced person for the purposes of this chapter.54-01.1-13. Payments not to be considered as income or resources. No paymentreceived by a displaced person under this chapter may be considered as income or resources for
the purpose of determining the eligibility or extent of eligibility of any person for assistance under
any state law, or for the purposes of the state's personal income tax law, corporation tax law, or
other tax laws. These payments may not be considered as income or resources of any recipient
of public assistance and the payments may not be deducted from the amount of aid to which the
recipient would otherwise be entitled.54-01.1-14. Appeal procedure. Any person or business concern aggrieved by a finaladministrative determination pursuant to chapter 28-32 concerning eligibility for relocation
payments authorized by this chapter may appeal that determination to the district court in the
judicial district in which the land taken for public use is located or the voluntary rehabilitation
program is conducted.54-01.1-15.Payments not element of condemnation damages.Nothing in thischapter may be construed as creating, in any condemnation proceedings brought under the
power of eminent domain, any element of value or damage not in existence prior to July 1, 1973.54-01.1-16.Real property acquisition policies.Any state agency engaged in afederally assisted program or project involving the acquisition of real property must be guided, to
the greatest extent practicable under state law, by the real property acquisition policies set forth
in the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 [Pub. L.
91-646; 42 U.S.C. 4651-4654] and the 1987 amendments enacted in title IV of the Surface
Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 [Pub. L. 100-17; 101 Stat.
255-256].Page No. 7Document Outlinechapter 54-01.1 relocation assistance