47-10.1-04. Enforcement

47-10.1-04. Enforcement If the attorney general has reason to believe that any person is violating section 47-10.1-02, the attorney general shall commence an action in the district court in which any agricultural land relative to the violation is situated, or if situated in two or more counties, in the district court for that county in which a substantial part of the land is situated. The attorney general shall file for record with the recorder in each county in which any portion of the land is located a notice of the pendency of the action. If the court finds that the land in question is being held in violation of section 47-10.1-02, it shall enter an order so declaring. The attorney general shall file for record any such order with the recorder of each county in which any portion of the land is located. Thereafter, the person, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trustee, or other business entity owning the land has a period of one year from the date of the order to divest itself of the lands. The one-year limitation period is deemed a covenant running with the title to the land against any grantee or assignee. Any land not divested within the time prescribed shall be sold at public sale in the manner prescribed by law for the foreclosure of a real estate mortgage by action. In addition, any prospective or threatened violation may be enjoined by an action brought by the attorney general in the manner provided by law. No title to land shall be invalid or subject to forfeiture by reason of the alienage of any former owner or person having a former interest therein.