A concurrent resolution urging Congress to permit the use of M-44 sodium cyanide devices on any land.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Mike Beltz and 4 co-sponsors

ND SCR 4012 urges Congress to permit M-44 sodium cyanide devices on any land, asserting they safely aid predator control and protect livestock, aiding USDA Wildlife Services.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/03

What the resolution does (purpose)

SCR 4012 is a concurrent resolution of the North Dakota Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to permit the use of M‑44 sodium cyanide devices on any land. It expresses the legislature’s position that M‑44 devices are effective predator‑control tools, asserts they can be used safely when properly managed, and states that loss of the devices has impaired the USDA Wildlife Services’ ability to address predator control and could cause economic harm to livestock producers.

Key provisions

Urges Congress to permit the use of M‑44 sodium cyanide devices on any land (the resolution originally referenced “private land” but was amended to “any land” in later versions).

Requests that the North Dakota Secretary of State forward copies of the resolution to:

Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. Senate
Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives
Each member of North Dakota’s Congressional delegation

Findings asserted in the text

The resolution states that:
- M‑44 devices are effective at controlling predators that prey on livestock and at protecting threatened/endangered species.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services uses M‑44 devices to assist livestock producers.
- When properly used, M‑44 devices pose no occupational risk to humans.
- USDA Wildlife Services has used safety measures such as warning signs and (in earlier draft language) placement only on private land with written landowner permission.
- Removal or prohibition of M‑44 devices has impaired USDA Wildlife Services’ duties and could have severe economic consequences if predators remain unchecked.

Who would be affected / impact

Directly targeted: federal policy governing the use of M‑44 devices (Congress would need to change federal law or policy to implement the request).

Practically affected: USDA Wildlife Services operations, livestock producers and ranchers who rely on predator-control tools, and landowners where these devices might be placed.

Also relevant to public safety and wildlife/conservation stakeholders, because M‑44 devices are lethal to target and non‑target animals.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: January 30, 2025 (Sponsors: Senators Klein, Erbele, Lemm; Representatives Beltz, Nelson).

Committee hearings: Feb 20 and Mar 20, 2025 (Agriculture and related committees).

Floor actions: Passed by second reading (adopted yeas 87, nays 5 on Mar 28, 2025); returned to Senate Mar 31.

Signed by President of the Senate and Speaker of the House: April 2, 2025.

Filed with Secretary of State: April 3, 2025.

Legal effect and considerations

As a concurrent resolution, SCR 4012 is an expression of the North Dakota Legislature’s viewpoint and requests action by Congress; it does not change state or federal law by itself.

The resolution makes factual assertions favorable to permitting M‑44 use; readers should note it does not include dispute resolution language or bind federal agencies.

Because M‑44 devices are the subject of public safety and wildlife conservation debate, any federal policy change would likely involve regulatory and stakeholder review at the federal level.

Bill