N.D. Cent. Code § 58-14-05

If it appears, on the trial of an action brought by a township to recover a penalty imposed for trespass committed on township lands, that the actual amount of injury to the township lands exceeds the sum of twelve dollars and fifty cents, the amount of actual damage with costs of the suit must be recovered in such action instead of the penalty imposed by the township bylaws. Such recovery is a bar to all other actions for the same trespass.