N.D. Cent. Code § 10-33-146

10-33-146. Transaction by a nonprofit corporation or entity operating or controlling a

hospital or nursing home - Notice of decision - Public meeting - Meeting notice.

Within ninety days of receipt of the written notice required under section 10-33-144, and

such other additional extension of time permitted or provided under section 10-33-144, the

attorney general shall notify, in writing, the nonprofit corporation or entity operating or controlling

a hospital or nursing home of the attorney general's decision to approve, deny, or take any other

action on the proposed agreement or transaction. Before issuing a written decision under this

section, the attorney general may conduct one or more public hearings, one of which must be

held in the county where the hospital or nursing home is located. At a public hearing under this

section, the attorney general shall request and receive comments from any interested person

regarding the proposed agreement or transaction. At least fourteen days before a public hearing

under this section, the attorney general shall provide notice of the meeting by publication in the

official newspaper of the city in which the hospital or nursing home is located. The attorney

general shall also provide notice of the meeting to the governing body of the county in which the

hospital or nursing home is located, if applicable, and to the governing body of the city in which

the hospital or nursing home is located, if applicable. Any party to the agreement may institute

legal proceedings in the district court of the county in which the hospital or nursing home is

located to review the attorney general's decision. In a district court action brought under this

section, the attorney general's decision is subject to de novo review by the court. In a

proceeding under this section, the attorney general must be served with notice and is entitled to

be heard. If the attorney general substantially prevails in a proceeding under this section, the

attorney general is entitled to an award of attorney's fees, investigation fees, costs, and

expenses of any investigation and proceeding under this section. The court shall award

attorney's fees to the attorney general under this section based upon the hourly rates the

attorney general charges to state agencies for the attorney general's legal services. A court may

not apply the limitation on the rate of the attorney general's attorney's fees under this section as

a limitation on an award of attorney's fees to the attorney general under any other section.