LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Who should cover grain insolvencies?

HB 1126 dramatically changes the way the state of North Dakota regulates grain. Introduced at the request of the Public Service Commission, it removes general supervision and regulation of grain warehouses as a basic function of the PSC, changes the current Credit Sale Contract Indemnity Fund into a Grain Indemnity Fund to cover all grain sales and removes the receipt-holder's lien from the statute, allowing elevator creditors to compete against producers for grain assets.
NDFU Lobbyist Dane Braun testified : 'The proposed assessment will cost farmers additional dollars to cover the rest of a warehouse or grain buyer becoming insolvent. How much of the insolvency list should be covered by the farmer and how much by the warehouse or grain buyer? We believe that this is a vital question for the committee to consider.'
The House Agriculture Committee did not take immediate action. The committee is set to work on HB 1126 next week.

What we're tracking
SB 2225 would reverse North Dakota's posting laws making all land private, therefore creating the need for individuals to get permission to go onto the land. The organization has direct policy on this issue, stating, 'all land should be considered posted.' NDFU will be testifying in support of the bill. If you'd like to contact committee members, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee can be found here. A hearing has not yet been set.

What else is happening?
Monday, Jan. 16 was the last day for the House to introduce new legislation. The Senate's deadline is Monday, Jan. 23.

- Kayla Pulvermacher, NDFU Member Advocacy Director