AN ACT to amend and reenact section 4.1-73-14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the fees for recording and rerecording livestock brands.
Summary
SB 2139 amends North Dakota Century Code section 4.1-73-14 to increase the fee for recording or rerecording a livestock brand. The bill changes the required fee from $25 to $50 for each application, effectively doubling the cost associated with brand registration and renewal-related filings.
The measure is narrow in scope and does not alter the underlying livestock brand registration system, ownership rules, or enforcement provisions. Its primary effect is fiscal: it raises the amount paid by livestock owners or other applicants who need to record or rerecord brands with the state.
Impact
The bill directly amends the state statute governing brand recording fees in the agriculture code, specifically section 4.1-73-14 of the North Dakota Century Code. It affects livestock producers, ranchers, and others who register brands, as well as the state agency responsible for processing brand applications, by increasing the revenue collected per filing and the cost borne by applicants.
Sentiment
The voting record suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the Senate 43-4 and the House 86-7, indicating that most legislators viewed the fee increase as a routine or acceptable adjustment. No committee transcripts were provided, and there is no evidence in the available record of organized opposition beyond a small minority of dissenting votes.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the fee increase itself: opponents likely objected to doubling the cost of recording or rerecording a brand, especially for livestock operators who may view the charge as an added business expense. Supporters appear to have favored the change as a modest administrative fee adjustment tied to the brand registration process, with no broader policy dispute evident in the available materials.
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 4.1-28-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authority to transact business associated with video livestock auction markets; and to repeal sections 4.1-28-03 and 4.1-28-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to licensing and fees for video livestock auction market representatives.