The attorney general shall represent the department in any action or proceeding brought under section 4.1-25-14, and may employ outside legal assistance when necessary. The attorney general may deduct the expense of retaining outside legal assistance from the trust fund. The department is not required to pay any filing fee or other court cost or disbursement in connection with an application for appointment as trustee or with any action brought under section 4.1-25-14 when the fee, cost, or disbursement accrues to the state or to a county of the state.
N.D.C.C. § 4.1-25-21