North Dakota Administrative Code Title 1 - Reserved
What Does "Title 1 — Reserved" Mean?
In administrative codes, a “Reserved” title or chapter is essentially a placeholder in the code structure. It means that Title 1 is intentionally left empty or without substantive rules or regulations at this time.
The purpose of reserving a title is to keep the numbering system organized and allow for future rulemaking or administrative rules to be inserted without disrupting the overall structure of the administrative code.
Reserving the first title is common in many states to preserve flexibility for agencies or administrative functions that may later require codified rules.
Context for Title 1 in the North Dakota Administrative Code
Title 1 is labeled as “Reserved” in the NDAC, meaning no rules or regulations are currently codified under this title.
This reserved status signifies there are no active administrative rules adopted by any agency under Title 1, nor has there been a specific agency or regulatory program assigned to this title.
The NDAC comprises multiple titles numbered sequentially, each corresponding to an agency or subject area (e.g., Title 12 for Bank of North Dakota, Title 22 for Educational Factfinding Council, etc.). Title 1 remains blank, available for future use.
Legal and Practical Significance
Because Title 1 contains no substantive rules, it has no legal effect on its own.
No agency actions, regulations, or procedural requirements are established under Title 1.
It functions as a structural tool to maintain consistent code organization.
Case Law Related to Reserved Titles
There is no specific case law interpreting “Reserved” titles like Title 1 in North Dakota because there is no substantive law or agency action within it to dispute or interpret.
Courts generally do not address “Reserved” titles unless and until rules are promulgated under them that become subject to legal challenges.
However, courts may recognize that reserved titles have no binding regulatory authority until rules are formally adopted and published in the NDAC under that title.
Summary
Title 1 — Reserved in the North Dakota Administrative Code is an empty placeholder title with no current administrative rules.
It exists for organizational purposes and to allow future rulemaking without renumbering the entire code.
There is no case law concerning Title 1 because it contains no substantive legal material.
Reserved titles like this are common in administrative codes and carry no independent legal force until rules are adopted under them.
RELATED Blog
0 comments