N.D. Cent. Code § 15-06-19.1
Original grant school or institutional lands and any other lands controlled by the board of university and school lands may be exchanged for lands of like character and value belonging to the United States government when it appears that such exchange will be advantageous to the state of North Dakota and will effect an increase in the value of such lands by consolidation or by making lands more accessible. Such exchange is subject to the approval of the proper department of the federal government, and such lands must be appraised as provided by law in the case of sale of real property owned by the state. The state also may execute and deliver proper conveyances of such land in the manner and form provided by law without the necessity of complying with any statute requiring the giving of notice of exchange or competitive bidding, and may accept in return therefor a proper instrument of conveyance to the state of North Dakota of the land for which such lands are exchanged, and the lands so acquired are subject to the trust to which the lands exchanged therefor were subject.
N.D.C.C. § 15-06-19.1