N.D. Cent. Code § 10-04-08.1 (2025)
1. The right to sell securities in this state shall not be granted in any case when it appears to the commissioner that the sale of such securities would work a fraud or deception on purchasers or the public, or that the proposed disposal of the securities is on unfair terms, or if the proposed plan of business of the applicant appears to be unfair, unjust, or inequitable. When the commissioner deems it necessary the commissioner has power, in connection with pending applications and at the expense of the applicant, to require the applicant to furnish additional information, to order appraisals, audits, or other examinations and reports, and, when the applicant is the issuer of the securities, or the proposed sale is to be on behalf of the issuer, to make an investigation of the books, records, property, business, and affairs of such issuer.
2. Upon compliance with all the provisions of this chapter relating to applications for approval or registration by announcement, coordination, or qualification and the requirements of the commissioner, the commissioner shall either approve or register such securities or if the commissioner is of the opinion that sale of the securities would be contrary to the provisions of this section, the commissioner shall deny the application. The commissioner has power to place such conditions, limitations, and restrictions on any approval or registration as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Registration or approval must be by entry in the register of securities, which entry must show the securities approved or registered and for whom approved or registered, and the conditions, limitations, and restrictions, if any, or shall make proper reference to a formal order of the commissioner on file showing such conditions, limitations, and restrictions. Included among any other reasonable conditions, limitations, and restrictions which the commissioner may deem necessary are the following: a. The commissioner may by rule, order, or directive require that any security issued or to be issued to a promoter for a consideration different from the public offering price, or to any person for a consideration other than cash, be deposited in escrow with the commissioner or some other depository satisfactory to the commissioner under an escrow agreement that the owners of such securities shall not be entitled to sell or transfer such securities or to withdraw such securities from escrow until all other stockholders who have paid for their stock in cash shall have been paid a dividend or dividends aggregating not less than six
percent of the initial offering price shown to the satisfaction of the commissioner to have been held actually earned on the investment in any common stock as held. In case of dissolution or insolvency during the time such securities are held in escrow, the owners of such securities shall not participate in the assets until after the owners of all other securities have been paid in full.