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SB 2346

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to beef commission member appointments; and to amend and reenact section 4.1-03-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to applicants for membership on the beef commission.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Dick Anderson and 5 co-sponsors

ND Beef Commission at-large seats standardized: requires applications, March–May window when terms expire, monthly notices, and defined eligibility; governor appoints 3 at-large.

Withdrawn from further consideration
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2346

SB 2346 — North Dakota: Beef Commission member appointments (summary)

Status: Withdrawn from further consideration
Introduced: March 12, 2025
Primary sponsors (ND version): Senators Erbele, Thomas, Lemm; Representatives D. Anderson, Nelson, Schreiber-Beck
Companion: HB 4394

Purpose / intent

To clarify appointment procedures, application timing, public notice requirements, and qualification standards for members of the North Dakota Beef Commission — with a particular focus on how at-large members are solicited and how specific seats are nominated.

Key provisions

  1. Commission composition (as amended 4.1-03-02)

    • Total membership specified as:
      • 3 beef producers
      • 1 cattle feeder
      • 1 dairy producer
      • 1 representative of a public livestock market
      • 3 at-large representatives
    • Governor appointments:
      • Beef producers, cattle feeder, dairy producer, and public livestock market representative are appointed from lists of at least two names submitted by the relevant industry associations (e.g., North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, milk producers association, livestock marketing association).
      • The three at-large representatives are appointed by the governor (application/selection process described below).

  2. At-large member application timing and process

    • Each person seeking an at-large seat must complete and submit an application as required by the bill.
    • In years when an at-large term is scheduled to expire, the application window opens March 1 and closes May 1.

  3. Qualifications (membership eligibility)

    • Must be a U.S. citizen and resident of North Dakota.
    • Must be “actively engaged” in the phase of the cattle industry the member represents, defined to mean:
      • Having an ownership interest in an operation of sufficient scope to constitute a distinct activity; and
      • Regularly exercising direct control of that operation.
    • Must have been actively engaged in that phase for a period of five years.
    • All members except the public livestock market representative must be “participating producers.”

  4. Public notice requirements for at-large vacancies (new section)

    • When an at-large term will expire, the commission must publish a notification beginning in March of that year once per month for two consecutive months in the official newspaper of each county. The notice must include:
      • Statement that applications are being accepted;
      • How to obtain an application;
      • Deadline and submission instructions; and
      • Term length.
    • The commission must also post the same notice on its website beginning March 1 and keep it posted until the application period closes.

Who is affected

  • Prospective and current beef commission members (particularly at-large applicants).
  • Governor’s appointment process and the industry associations that provide nomination lists.
  • Beef producers, feeders, dairy producers, livestock markets and other stakeholders in North Dakota’s cattle/beef sector who may apply or monitor appointments.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced March 12, 2025; read first time March 25, 2025; referred to State Affairs.
  • Official status in provided materials: Withdrawn from further consideration. (No enactment; the bill did not become law.)

Potential impact

  • Increases transparency and standardizes public notice and application windows for at-large seats.
  • Formalizes nomination route for industry-designated seats (lists from associations).
  • Establishes clear eligibility criteria (residency, citizenship, active engagement, five-year experience) which may restrict or clarify who qualifies to serve.
  • Could streamline or lengthen appointment lead time by requiring countywide newspaper notices and website postings.

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

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