N.D. Cent. Code § 61-24.3-19
Water service contracts entered by the commission for the distribution and sale of water to water user entities from the southwest pipeline project are confirmed and approved by the legislative assembly. The commission may commence a special proceeding in and by which the proceedings of the commission and the making of water service contracts are judicially examined, approved and confirmed, or disapproved and disaffirmed. The proceeding must comply as nearly as possible with the procedure authorized by sections 61-07-22 through 61-07-28 for irrigation district contracts. The requirements of section 40-33-16 are not applicable to contracts between the state water commission and cities for water service and cities for water service from the southwest pipeline project, provided the contracts were approved by the city governing body and executed before January 1, 1999.
N.D.C.C. § 61-24.3-19