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The most recent Department of Trust Lands' Biennial Report is now available! - 2021-2023 Biennial Report

To view the Department's historical reports please visit Resources - Biennial Reports.

Watch the Red Tape Reduction video here

Public input is now being accepted for the second round of Gov. Doug Burgum’s Red Tape Reduction initiative aimed at eliminating unnecessary and outdated regulations, rules, policies and procedures to make government more efficient and effective and help lower costs for taxpayers, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced today.

Burgum created the Red Tape Reduction Working Group by executive order in August 2022. With representatives from 34 state agencies, the group reviewed state law, administrative rules and internal policies and procedures to identify opportunities to reduce burdensome red tape. Of the roughly 500 ideas submitted by Team ND and the public, 385 received internal or legislative action, including 52 bills advanced by the working group – 51 of which were signed by the governor – and about 40 additional approved bills that reduced red tape during the 2023 legislative session.

Help reduce State red tape and submit your suggestions here - Red Tape Reduction Working Group | North Dakota Office of the Governor (nd.gov)

As in the past, in keeping with the terms of the leased land, no tracts are available for auction this fall. The next round of surface lease auctions will be held in March of 2024. 

Record also set for amount of unclaimed property submitted by businesses

BISMARCK, N.D. (AUG. 16, 2023) –The Unclaimed Property Division of the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands returned a record $9.7 million of unclaimed property to its rightful owners during the fiscal year that ended June 30, an increase of $3 million over the previous fiscal year.

The amount of unclaimed property submitted by businesses to the Unclaimed Property Division also hit a record high of $20.3 million in fiscal year 2022-23, a $4.6 million increase over 2021-22.

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Nearly $500M to be distributed to K-12 from Common Schools Trust Fund this biennium, easing pressure on property taxes and state’s general fund

BISMARCK, N.D. (JULY 27, 2023) –The state of North Dakota collected a record $522.5 million in oil and gas royalties paid on state-owned mineral acres during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, according to information presented today to the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands (Land Board). This is on top of a previous record of $457 million in fiscal year 2021-22...

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At the Board of University & School Lands regular April meeting the Department of Trust Lands (DTL) presented an overview of the trusts and funds they manage, including the upcoming 2023-2025 distributions to our beneficiaries, to showcase the contribution these distributions make towards the beneficiaries' budgetary needs.

DTL 2023-2025 Trusts and Funds Summary

The Most Recent Survey - 2023 County Rents and Prices Survey

Last Year's Survey - 2022 County Rents and Prices Survey

Past Surveys can be found under the Resources tab.

The Department of Trust Lands on behalf of the Board of University and School Lands completed spring surface lease auctions in March.   

2023 Spring Surface Lease Auction Results

Unleased Tracts Available for Lease

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ND EDUCATION THROUGH LEASING OF SCHOOL TRUST LANDS.

NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Unclaimed Property Day is back to return money to citizens of North Dakota

Search for your cash at unclaimedproperty.nd.gov

BISMARCK, N.D. (JAN. 31, 2023) – Nearly 33 million people in the United States – 1 in every 10 – has what the industry calls unclaimed property: financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for a number of years. When that happens, and the company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties are submitted to the state. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and uncashed checks...

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North Dakota Land Board Announces Successful Completion of Missouri River Acreage Adjustment Project - Part II

BISMARCK, N.D. (DEC. 19, 2022) – The North Dakota Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) today announced full completion of the Missouri River Acreage Adjustment Project, which in total returned a net of approximately $130 million to North Dakota private mineral owners and oil and gas operators...

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North Dakota Land Board Announces Successful Completion of Missouri River Acreage Adjustment Project - Part I

BISMARCK, N.D. (OCT. 4, 2022) – The North Dakota Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) today announced the successful completion of Part I of the River Acreage Adjustment Project, which returned a net of approximately $120 million to North Dakota private mineral owners and oil and gas operators….

Fall 2022 Surface Division Newsletter is now available

The most recent Department of Trust Lands' Biennial Report - 2019 - 2021 Biennial Report

For the Department's historical reports please visit https://www.land.nd.gov/resources/biennial-reports.