The proposed changes in SB2162 will directly affect wheat farmers, as it outlines the conditions for the assessment on wheat sold through commercial channels within North Dakota. An assessment is levied at the time of sale, which influences the financial dynamics for wheat producers and could have implications for the pricing of wheat in local markets. Such regulations are significant because they pertain to the financial sustainability of the agricultural sector in the state.
Summary
Senate Bill 2162 seeks to amend the existing legislation regarding the assessment imposed by the North Dakota Wheat Commission. Specifically, the bill proposes an adjustment to the assessment rate levied on all wheat, including both wheat grown in the state and wheat delivered into the state for sale. The current assessment is stated as fifteen thirty mills per bushel, and the bill aims to maintain this assessment structure while potentially addressing the concerns of stakeholders within the wheat industry.
Contention
While the text of SB2162 does not explicitly indicate contentious points, modifications to agricultural assessments often evoke differing opinions among stakeholders. Farmers may support continuation of the assessment scheme if it benefits statewide agricultural initiatives and funding. However, there may be opposition from those who believe assessments should be lower, or who argue that such levies disproportionately affect smaller farming operations. The balance of supporting state agricultural programs while ensuring fairness in assessments is likely to be a topic of discussion during legislative hearings.
The salary of the state tax commissioner, property assessment increase notices, and use tax exemptions; to provide an exemption; to provide for a transfer; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.
The salary of the agriculture commissioner, the federal environmental law impact review committee, the environmental impact mitigation fund, and mitigating environmental impacts; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a legislative management study.
The definition of a cattle industry representative, the election and terms of members to the North Dakota beef commission, and requiring livestock auction markets and livestock dealers to forward names of cattle sellers; and to provide an effective date.
Communication of property tax levies with the public and financial reporting to the state auditor; to provide for the tax commissioner to study property tax transparency; and to provide for a legislative management report.