701-566-9300Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #13
It seems that many are curious about the status of the Spiritwood soybean crush plant and today I was one of a dozen people in the Commerce Department building for an update. There were representatives from Great River Energy (GRE), Jamestown EDC, the Lieutenant Governor, the Bank of ND, MNSP (Minnesota Soybean Processors)/NDSP, three state […]hi
It seems that many are curious about the status of the Spiritwood soybean crush plant and today I was one of a dozen people in the Commerce Department building for an update. There were representatives from Great River Energy (GRE), Jamestown EDC, the Lieutenant Governor, the Bank of ND, MNSP (Minnesota Soybean Processors)/NDSP, three state farmer-legislators comprised of a Tax committee...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #12
Hey! It is the middle of the week after the Corn and Soybean Expo and I just want to thank the many folks who mentioned that they appreciate the blog. Good to know that it is read. Today we had committee action taken on the farm home exemption bill (2360) that would get rid of […]hi
Hey! It is the middle of the week after the Corn and Soybean Expo and I just want to thank the many folks who mentioned that they appreciate the blog. Good to know that it is read.
Today we had committee action taken on the farm home exemption bill (2360) that would get rid of the current tests and use the federal IRS definition which is that 66 percent or more of gross income from the farm...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #11
One of the biggest bills moneywise this session is connected with Agriculture. It is #2297 and has a nearly $152 million total. It includes NDSU’s #1 priority on its capital improvements list (Dunbar Hall) for $51 million as well as a communications and arts building ($32 million) in Valley City State which is on the […]hi
One of the biggest bills moneywise this session is connected with Agriculture. It is #2297 and has a nearly $152 million total. It includes NDSU’s #1 priority on its capital improvements list (Dunbar Hall) for $51 million as well as a communications and arts building ($32 million) in Valley City State which is on the wrong side of the dike. The big item for Agriculture is the NDSU Agricultural...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #10
Warehouse, grain buyer licensing and grain inspection is a hot topic again this session. With a big insolvency issue out there – this time involving a roving grain buyer – there are a couple of bills looking to make some changes. Senator Wanzek is trying to find fixes with 2346 by talking about the indemnity […]hi
Warehouse, grain buyer licensing and grain inspection is a hot topic again this session. With a big insolvency issue out there – this time involving a roving grain buyer – there are a couple of bills looking to make some changes. Senator Wanzek is trying to find fixes with 2346 by talking about the indemnity fund taking a small cut from the sale of all grain and oilseed crops. With greater...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #9
On Tuesday bill # 1476 was heard in House Finance and Tax. This would give farmers who are looking at getting out or retiring an incentive through an income tax credit if they sell their land to someone who qualifies as a beginning farmer. It was presented as something that would help the beginning farmer […]hi
On Tuesday bill # 1476 was heard in House Finance and Tax. This would give farmers who are looking at getting out or retiring an incentive through an income tax credit if they sell their land to someone who qualifies as a beginning farmer. It was presented as something that would help the beginning farmer and was looked upon favorably by the committee in that regard, but the chairman hinted...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #8
There has been discussion on legislation that would authorize the transfer of APUC, the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA). It is currently under the umbrella of the Department of Commerce where it has resided the past 20 years or so after being taken out of the NDDA. The […]hi
There has been discussion on legislation that would authorize the transfer of APUC, the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA). It is currently under the umbrella of the Department of Commerce where it has resided the past 20 years or so after being taken out of the NDDA. The Ag Commissioner is on the APUC board so has a lot of...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #7
As usual, Thursday and Friday contained bills that have us hopping the halls, including an energy mitigation bill (2261) from Senator Unruh that would eliminate consideration of indirect impacts when siting an oil well or wind tower. Direct impacts are tangible, such as if you destroy a tree, plant another one. Indirect impacts were portrayed […]hi
As usual, Thursday and Friday contained bills that have us hopping the halls, including an energy mitigation bill (2261) from Senator Unruh that would eliminate consideration of indirect impacts when siting an oil well or wind tower. Direct impacts are tangible, such as if you destroy a tree, plant another one. Indirect impacts were portrayed in testimony as being intangible and scientifically...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #6
On Friday I listened in to Senate Energy and Natural Resources as they entertained discussion on #2174. That is the bill that calls for Water Resource District (WRD) board members to be elected rather than appointed by County Commissioners as they are now. Having experience both as a township officer and senator with assessment drain […]hi
On Friday I listened in to Senate Energy and Natural Resources as they entertained discussion on #2174. That is the bill that calls for Water Resource District (WRD) board members to be elected rather than appointed by County Commissioners as they are now. Having experience both as a township officer and senator with assessment drain hearings, I recognize how intense (tense!) these affairs can...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #5
Well, its Friday with both bills and snow coming down here in Bismarck. Yesterday I heard a bill – 1291- on permanently registering trailers. The farmers I spoke with afterwards that had been listening in were very receptive to the $120 proposed fee. The bill was brought by the Motor Carriers because many individuals and […]hi
Well, its Friday with both bills and snow coming down here in Bismarck. Yesterday I heard a bill – 1291- on permanently registering trailers. The farmers I spoke with afterwards that had been listening in were very receptive to the $120 proposed fee. The bill was brought by the Motor Carriers because many individuals and fleets were licensing their trailers in other states which already...
Murphy’s Law Blog 2019 | #4
This is the second full week of the 16 week session and about 750 bills have entered the process. We have sorted them into a 70-some active Agricultural watch list and 130 or so on a list which is less directly affecting Ag but still of some import such as some transportation, tax or financial […]hi
This is the second full week of the 16 week session and about 750 bills have entered the process. We have sorted them into a 70-some active Agricultural watch list and 130 or so on a list which is less directly affecting Ag but still of some import such as some transportation, tax or financial bills, etc. There are expected to be at least another 250 by next week when the deadlines hit, which...