§ 44-08-25 — Prohibition - Sanctuary - Immigration - Void - Fund - Continuing appropriation

appropriation.
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state, a political subdivision, or
institution of higher education under the supervision of the state board of higher
education or any agent or employee of the state, a political subdivision, or the
institution of higher education may not adopt or implement, whether formally or
informally, a sanctuary policy, including a policy, order, or ordinance that:
a. Limits or prohibits an individual from communicating or cooperating with federal
agencies or officials to verify or report the immigration status of an individual;
b. Grants a noncitizen unlawfully present in the United States the right to lawful
presence or status within the state, a political subdivision, or the institution of
higher education;
c. Violates a provision of chapter 1373 of United States Code title 8 [8 U.S.C. 1373];
d. Restricts or imposes a condition upon the cooperation or compliance of a state
agency, department, or office or political subdivision with United States
immigration and customs enforcement to maintain custody of or to transfer an
illegal alien to the custody of United States immigration and customs
enforcement; or
e. Prevents a law enforcement officer of a political subdivision from asking an
individual in custody the individual's citizenship or immigration status.
2. The attorney general, upon receiving a complaint from an individual regarding a
violation of this section, may investigate as necessary. If the attorney general finds a
political subdivision is in violation of this section, the attorney general shall issue an
opinion to the political subdivision, including findings of fact describing with specificity
the sanctuary policy.
3. Within thirty days of receiving an opinion under subsection 2, a political subdivision
may appeal the opinion to the district court or provide the attorney general with
evidence to demonstrate a sanctuary policy is no longer in effect.
4. If a political subdivision provides the attorney general with sufficient evidence to
demonstrate a sanctuary policy is no longer in effect, the attorney general shall:
a. Issue a second opinion to the political subdivision declaring the political
subdivision no longer has a sanctuary policy; and
b. If applicable, direct the state treasurer to cease withholding the political
subdivision's funding under subsection 5.
5. Within thirty days after the political subdivision receives an opinion under subsection 2,
the attorney general shall direct the state treasurer to withhold the political
subdivision's allocation from the state aid distribution fund under section 57-39.2-26.1
and deposit the withheld funds into the sanctuary compliance fund. Funds will be

distributed to the political subdivision upon compliance with this section as determined
by the attorney general.
6. There is created a special fund in the state treasury called the sanctuary compliance
fund. The fund consists of all moneys deposited under this section. Moneys in the fund
are appropriated on a continuing basis to the state treasurer and may be distributed
back to the political subdivision upon compliance with this section, or to political
subdivisions that are in compliance with this section, using existing formulas or
distribution methods.
7. Any policy, order, or ordinance adopted in violation of this section is void.