§ 43-01-23 — Temporary authority of an abstracter to act in an additional county

1. If it appears to the board that there is no abstracter authorized to engage in and carry
on the business of an abstracter of real estate titles in a county or that there is an
authorized abstracter in a county who is unable to perform the duties of an abstracter
due to death, disability, a disaster or emergency, or disciplinary action, the board may
authorize an individual or organization having a certificate of authority and certificate of
registration to operate in another county to operate in the county having no abstracter
through the issuance of a temporary certificate of authority. The board may not charge
an abstracter for the temporary certificate of authority. The board may require
additional security than provided under section 43-01-11. The abstracter operating
under the temporary certificate of authority is not required to have a complete tract
index and all instruments of record in the office of the recorder in and for the county in
which the abstracter is temporarily engaged in business, nor need the abstracter have
been engaged in the preparation of such records. The temporary certificate of
authority may not exceed such time as the board has determined an abstracter having
a regular certificate of authority and certificate of registration is able to engage in and
carry on the business of an abstracter of real estate titles in the county, but the
abstracter holding the temporary certificate of authority may complete any work
already engaged. The abstracter having a temporary certificate of authority may seek

to operate in the county on a regular basis through compliance with all statutory
requirements.
2. The board may establish a fund to provide for additional expenses of an abstracter
operating under a temporary certificate of authority. The fund may be paid for by an
additional fee fixed by the board of no more than fifty dollars per year for each
certificate of registration. The fund may not exceed five thousand dollars. The board
may pay the expenses, including mileage, meals, and lodging, of an abstracter
operating under a temporary certificate of authority at the rates established for state
employees on official business.