North Dakota Senate Bill SB2161

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Caption

AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 4.1-02-03, 4.1-02-12, and 4.1-13-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to member districts and the assessments levied by the barley council and wheat commission.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 2161 aims to amend and reenact specific sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning the structure and assessments of the barley council and wheat commission. The bill establishes guidelines for council membership, including the election process, term limits, and procedures for filling vacancies. It also outlines the assessment rates imposed on barley and wheat production, specifying the conditions under which these assessments apply.

Impact

The bill modifies existing laws regarding the governance of the barley council and wheat commission by clarifying the election process for council members and updating the assessment rates for barley and wheat. This change is expected to streamline the representation of agricultural producers and ensure that the councils can effectively levy assessments to support their operations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB2161 appears to be generally positive, as indicated by the strong support in both the Senate and House votes, with 45-2 and 79-11 respectively. This suggests that the bill is viewed favorably by a majority of legislators, likely due to its focus on enhancing agricultural governance and support for local producers.

Contention

While there were no significant points of contention noted in the discussions or voting history, some concerns may arise regarding the implications of the assessment rates on local producers, particularly in terms of financial impact. However, these concerns did not seem to significantly hinder the bill's progress through the legislative process.