North Dakota § 54-46-08 - Determination necessary for final disposition of records - Review of state
Full text of North Dakota North Dakota Century Code § 54-46-08 — Determination necessary for final disposition of records - Review of state, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 54-46-08. Determination necessary for final disposition of records - Review of state
data. 1. Prior to the final disposition of any type or class of record, the administrator, after consultation with the official or department head owning the record, the attorney general, the state auditor, and the state archivist, shall determine that the type or class of record has no further administrative, legal, or fiscal value and is subject to final disposition under section 54-46-08.1 or section 54-46-09. 2. Each departmental agency shall maintain, for at least one year, data contained in electronic mail accounts for agency heads, state officers appointed by the governor under chapter 44-02, and elected executive branch officials. 3. a. Each agency shall develop policies related to the assumption of employee account ownership upon employee departure. For an employee who holds a supervisory position or above, the agency shall place on hold an employee account to preserve the employee account if one of the following occurs: (1) The employee is involuntarily terminated; (2) The employee is placed on administrative leave; (3) The employee resigns or departs without notice; (4) The employee dies; or (5) An event the agency deems sufficient to place the account on hold. b. An agency shall ensure the employee account remains on hold until the account has been reviewed by the appropriate individual. The head of an agency, a records manager, or an employee designated by the head of an agency, shall review the employee account for all supervisory employees, except as required under subdivision c. c. If the employee was the head of an agency, a state officer appointed by the governor under chapter 44-02, or an elected executive branch official, the employee account must be reviewed by the employee's successor and, if the administrator deems it necessary, the state archivist. d. For purposes of this subsection: (1) "Employee account" means physical files and electronic files, communications, attachments, and other information stored in an employee electronic mail account or electronic file storage account; (2) "Employee's successor" does not include an individual acting in the successor's role or position temporarily before a successor is appointed under section 44-02-03; and (3) "On hold" means in a state of preservation in which nothing may be altered and for which access is immediately restricted to review by the appropriate individual as required under this subsection. 4. If a statute requiring retention of a record does not provide a specific retention period or specifically provide that the record be permanently retained, the administrator, after completing the consultation required by this section, shall establish a specific retention period for the record. The administrator shall annually survey the state agencies and shall order final disposition under section 54-46-08.1 or section 54-46-09 of any records which have been determined to have no further administrative, legal, or fiscal value pursuant to this section.
Source: official North Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Dakota § 54-46-08
What does North Dakota Century Code § 54-46-08 cover?
Section 54-46-08 ("Determination necessary for final disposition of records - Review of state") is part of the North Dakota Century Code, the codified statutory law of North Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Dakota § 54-46-08?
A common citation format is "North Dakota Century Code § 54-46-08" (North Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Dakota attorney.
How does North Dakota § 54-46-08 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Dakota.