Section 4.1-01-26 - Postproduction royalty oversight program - Report1. The commissioner shall establish a program providing technical assistance and support to mineral owners, lease owners, and mineral companies relating to royalty payment issues.2. The commissioner may contract for ombudsmen to be a resource for technical assistance and followup on royalty payment issues.3. The program may provide technical education, support, and outreach on royalty payment-related matters in coordination with other entities.4. The commissioner may contract with local individuals, deemed trustworthy by the mineral owners, lease owners, and mineral companies, to be ombudsmen. The commissioner is not subject to the provisions of chapter 54-44.4 when contracting for the services of ombudsmen.5. The names of mineral owners, lease owners, and mineral companies that receive assistance under the program are not subject to section 44-04-18 and section 6 of article XI of the Constitution of North Dakota.6. The commissioner shall submit expenses related to the implementation of the program to the industrial commission for reimbursement.7. By June first of each even-numbered year, the commissioner shall provide a report to the energy development and transmission committee.Added by S.L. 2023 , ch. 72( SB 2194 ), § 1, eff. 7/1/2023.