1.21.030 Identification Number

(a) The Indian owner of each motorboat requiring numbering by the State of North Dakota shall file an application for number with the department on forms approved by it. The application shall be signed by the Indian owner of the motorboat and shall be accompanied by a fee of three dollars ($3). Upon receipt of the application in approved form, the department shall enter the same upon the records of its office and issue the Indian applicant a certificate of number stating the number awarded to the motorboat and the name and address of the owner. The Game and Fish Department shall pay all funds collected hereunder to the North Dakota State Treasurer who shall credit funds thereof to the State Game and Fish fund to pay for the costs of administering this chapter. The Indian owner shall attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat the identification number in such manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the department in order that it may be clearly visible. The number shall be maintained in legible condition. The certificate of number shall be available at all times for inspection on the motorboat for which issued, whenever such motorboat is in operation.

(b) The owner of any motorboat already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to then operative federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state shall record the number prior to operating the motorboat on the waters of the Turtle Mountain Jurisdiction in excess of the ninety (90) day reciprocity period provided for in Section 1.21.050. Such recordation shall be in the manner and pursuant to the procedure required for the award of a number under subsection (a) of this section, except that no additional or substitute number shall be issued.

(c) Should the Indian ownership of a motorboat change; a new application form with fee prorated on a yearly basis shall be filed with the department and a new certificate of number shall be awarded in the same manner as provided for in an original award of number.

(d) In the event that an agency of the United States Government shall have in force an over all system of identification numbering for motorboats within the United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this chapter by the department shall be in conformity therewith.

(e) The department may award any certificate of number directly or may authorize any Indian person to act as agent for the awarding thereof. In the event that an Indian person accepts such authorization, he may be assigned a block of numbers and certificates therefore which upon award, in conformity with this chapter and with any rules and regulations of the department, shall be valid as if awarded directly by the department.

(f) All records of the department made or kept pursuant to this section shall be public records.

(g) Every certificate of number awarded pursuant to this chapter shall continue in full force and effect for a period of three (3) years unless sooner terminated or discontinued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Certificates of number may be renewed by the owner in the same manner provided for in the initial securing of the same.

(h) The department shall fix a day and month of the year on which certificates of number due to expire during the calendar year shall lapse and no longer be of any force and effect unless renewed pursuant to this chapter.

(i) The owner shall furnish the department notice of the transfer of all or any part of his interest other than the creation of a security interest in a motorboat numbered in this state pursuant to Subsections (a) and (b) of this section or of the destruction or abandonment of such motorboat, within fifteen (15) days thereof. Such transfer, destruction, or abandonment shall terminate the certificate of number for such motorboat except, that in the case of a transfer of a part interest which does not affect the Indian owner's right to operate such motorboat; such transfer shall not terminate the certificate of number.

(j) Any Indian holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department within fifteen (15) days if his address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and shall, as a part of such notification, furnish the department with his new address. The department may provide in its rules and regulations for the surrender of the certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate bearing the new address or for the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of the Indian holder.

(k) No number other than the number awarded to a motorboat or granted reciprocity pursuant to, this chapter shall be painted, attached or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of such motorboat.