BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The genesis of House Bill 1483 was brought forth to the legislative assembly earlier this year by several Barnes County residents who questioned the acquisition of a county project.

District 24 Republican Representative Cole Christiansen sponsored the bill. He said it centers on a lease purchase or building authority agreement to acquire property or build a structure that costs more than $4 million dollars.

If a county governing body wants to exceed the $4 million mark to build a public owned facility, the respective board will now have to bring the issue to a vote of the people. The bill was signed into law by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

The summary of House Bill 1483: Unless a lease purchase or Building Authority agreement is approved by a vote of the majority of the qualified electors of a county, the governing body of a county may not enter a lease purchase or building authority agreement for the acquisition of any property or construction of any structure having a cost of more than four million dollars.