N.D. Cent. Code § 54-17-36
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state, acting by and through its industrial commission, may enter agreements to lease all or part of, or an undivided or other interest in, the plant or equipment of any waterworks, mains, or water distribution system and any property related thereto pursuant to subsection 5 of section 40-33-01, subsection 12 of section 61-24.5-09, or subsection 23 of section 61-35-12 or any sewage system and all related property for the collection, treatment, purification, and disposal in a sanitary manner of sewage pursuant to section 40-34-19 or subsection 23 of section 61-35-12 to or from a municipality or other political subdivision or agency of the state, or to or from any person, for such compensation and upon such terms and conditions as the parties under such agreement may stipulate. For the purposes of this section, such agreements include any lease, sublease, purchase agreement, lease-purchase agreement, installment purchase agreement, leaseback agreement, or other contract, agreement, instrument, or arrangement pursuant to which any rights, interests, or other property are transferred to, by, or from any party to, by, or from one or more parties, and any related documents entered or to be entered, including any operating agreement, service agreement, indemnity agreement, participation agreement, loan agreement, or payment undertaking agreement. Any lease obligation entered under this section is payable solely from revenues to be derived by the state or any agency or institution of the state from the ownership, sale, lease, disposition, and operation of the plant or equipment of any waterworks, mains, or water distribution system and any property related thereto or sewage systems and all related property for the collection, treatment, purification, and disposal in a sanitary manner of sewage; any funds or investments permitted under state law, and any earnings thereon, to the extent pledged therefor; revenues to be derived by the state from any support and operating agreement, service agreement, or any other agreement relating to the waterworks, mains, and water distribution system or sewage system; funds, if any, appropriated annually by the legislative assembly; and income or proceeds from any collateral pledged or provided therefor. A lease obligation entered under this section does not constitute an indebtedness of the industrial commission, the state, or any agency or officer or agent thereof, or a pledge of the full faith and credit or unlimited taxing resources of the industrial commission, the state, or any agency or officer or agent thereof. The industrial commission may authorize the public finance authority or another agency or institution of the state to do and perform any acts and things authorized by this section, including making, entering, and enforcing all contracts or agreements necessary, convenient, or desirable for the purposes of this section.
N.D.C.C. § 54-17-36