WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1230

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 36-01-36 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program by the state veterinarian; and to repeal sections 4.1-72-05 and 4.1-72-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating the administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program and records relating to the program.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Dick Anderson and 3 co-sponsors

Centralizes administration of federally sponsored animal identification programs for cattle, horses, and mules under the State Veterinarian and tightens confidentiality of premises

Withdrawn from further consideration
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1230

Summary — HB 1230 (North Dakota)

Title: An Act to amend and reenact section 36‑01‑36 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program by the state veterinarian; and to repeal sections 4.1‑72‑05 and 4.1‑72‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program and records relating to the program.

Purpose / Intent

The bill would centralize administration of federally sponsored animal identification programs for certain livestock with the State Veterinarian, codify confidentiality protections for premises and animal‑identification data collected under such programs, and repeal two existing statutory sections that currently address program administration and related records (NDCC §§ 4.1‑72‑05 and 4.1‑72‑06).

Key provisions

  • Designates the state veterinarian as the state's administrator and allocator for any federally sponsored animal identification program that pertains to cattle, horses, and mules (amends NDCC § 36‑01‑36).
  • Establishes confidentiality for information created, collected, or maintained for premises identification, animal identification, or animal tracking. Confidential information specifically includes the name and address of the owner or lessee where an animal is located.
  • Creates a list of exceptions under which confidential information may be disclosed:
    • Written consent of the individual who is the subject of the information;
    • Disclosure authorized by federal law;
    • Disclosure necessary to provide state or federal agencies information to assist in animal disease control or tracing;
    • Disclosure to the Attorney General or law enforcement to assist in a criminal investigation;
    • Court order; or
    • (As drafted) disclosure to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association pursuant to NDCC § 4.1‑72‑05.
  • Provides enforcement/remedies for violations by referencing NDCC § 44‑04‑21.2; broadens the definition of “public entity” for those remedies to include private contractors that have contracts with the state to provide services related to premises/animal identification or tracking databases.
  • Repeals NDCC §§ 4.1‑72‑05 and 4.1‑72‑06 (these sections related to administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program and records relating to the program).

Who would be affected

  • Livestock owners and lessees (especially cattle, horse, mule owners) — their premises and contact information would be covered by new confidentiality rules.
  • State Veterinarian’s office — gains explicit statutory authority to administer and allocate federally sponsored animal ID programs for the listed species.
  • State and federal animal health agencies — retain access under enumerated exceptions for disease control/tracing.
  • Law enforcement and the Attorney General — permitted to receive disclosures in the course of criminal investigations.
  • North Dakota Stockmen’s Association — bill text references disclosure to the association under the repealed section; repeal of those sections may change or eliminate that existing disclosure pathway (see “Notes / Issues”).
  • Private contractors working with the state on ID databases — become subject to the same confidentiality obligations and potential remedies on violation.

Procedural / timeline status

  • Introduced in the Sixty‑ninth Legislative Assembly (bill file shows introduction by Representatives D. Anderson, Hauck, Nelson and Senator Cory).
  • The user-supplied status: Withdrawn from further consideration. (If withdrawn, the bill did not become law in its presented form. No effective date applies in that case.)

Notes, potential impacts, and issues to watch

  • The bill strengthens privacy protections for premises/animal identification data but explicitly preserves disclosure for disease tracing and law enforcement functions.
  • The bill text lists disclosure to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association “pursuant to section 4.1‑72‑05,” but it also repeals §§ 4.1‑72‑05 and 4.1‑72‑06. That creates a drafting inconsistency: if the repeals remain, the authorization for that particular disclosure would be removed unless the bill or another provision preserves it. This could reduce (or require clarification of) stakeholder access to program records previously provided under the repealed sections.
  • Centralizing administration in the State Veterinarian may streamline program management but could shift operational responsibilities and resource needs to that office.
  • Because remedies for unauthorized disclosure are tied to NDCC § 44‑04‑21.2, both public agencies and private contractors face statutory penalties or civil remedies for violations.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the current text of the repealed sections (4.1‑72‑05 and 4.1‑72‑06) to show what would be removed; or
- Draft a short comparison showing how the bill would change current practice step‑by‑step.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.