legalizing certain quantities of cannabis.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heath Howard and 4 co-sponsors

The bill prioritizes grants for road and bridge projects serving value‑added agriculture, limited to counties, townships, or cities with ≤1,500 residents.

Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass

Summary — HB 1235 (North Dakota)

Act to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 4.1‑01‑27, North Dakota Century Code
Status: Filed with Secretary of State (03/24). Introduced: November 12, 2024. Sponsors: Representatives Grueneich, Brandenburg, Dockter, Hagert, Headland, Richter, Satrom, Stemen; Senators Conley, Erbele, Thomas, Wanzek.

Purpose / Intent

The bill narrows and clarifies which local governments are eligible to receive grants under the state agriculture infrastructure grant program. Its intent is to direct road and bridge improvement grant funding toward small, rural political subdivisions so they can accommodate or improve access for value‑added agriculture businesses (e.g., processing, packaging, and other post‑production operations).

Key provisions / What the bill changes

Amends subsection 2 of NDCC § 4.1‑01‑27 to specify eligible grant recipients as:

“a county, township, or city with a population of one thousand five hundred residents or less.”

Reiterates/limits allowable uses of grant funding under that subsection to:

(a) corridor improvements on city, county, and township roadways; and
(b) improvements to roads or bridges that provide access to value‑added agriculture businesses.

Maintains administration mechanics: grants are awarded by the agriculture commissioner in consultation with the director of the Department of Transportation.

Who or what is affected

Positively affected:

Small, rural political subdivisions (cities, townships, counties) with populations ≤ 1,500 — these communities become explicit priority/eligible recipients for grants to upgrade roads and bridges serving value‑added agricultural operations.
Value‑added agriculture businesses located in or seeking to locate in such small communities — improved access and infrastructure may support expansion or new investment.

Potentially disadvantaged or excluded:

Larger cities, townships, or counties (population > 1,500) — these jurisdictions are excluded from eligibility under the amended subsection and therefore would not be eligible for these specific grants.

State agencies:

Agriculture Commissioner and Department of Transportation retain roles in grant award and project consultation.

Fiscal and implementation notes

The bill text does not specify funding amounts, new appropriations, or matching requirements; it limits who may receive grants rather than creating a new funding stream.

Administrative impact is limited to grant administration by the agriculture commissioner with DOT consultation; no direct fiscal estimates are provided in the text.

By targeting small jurisdictions, the bill is likely to concentrate existing or future program dollars on rural infrastructure projects serving value‑added agriculture.

Procedural / timeline highlights

Introduced: November 12, 2024.

Drafts and engrossed versions circulated in 2025; enrollment language and filing with the Secretary of State recorded 03/24 (per provided status).

Effective operation will depend on existing program rules, available appropriation authority, and subsequent grant cycles administered by the Agriculture Commissioner and DOT.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a one‑page memo assessing likely winners/losers (counties affected) or
- Map ND municipalities with population ≤1,500 to show who becomes newly prioritized.