North Dakota House advances package of bills on pesticides, education, transit and licensing; multiple measures pass

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota House of Representatives voted on a broad slate of measures on March 19, 2025, approving bills that update pesticide certification standards, rewrite veterinary practice law, expand school accreditation options, fund city transit services and authorize a new “blackout” license plate, among other actions.

The session produced several contested roll-call votes. Lawmakers debated changes that would align the state’s pesticide certification with federal Environmental Protection Agency requirements and considered objections about impacts on small farmers. Separately, members discussed a proposal to allow a solid-black vehicle license plate option after receiving testimony from law enforcement and stakeholders.

Why it matters: the package touches multiple everyday services and regulatory codes — from how restricted-use herbicides may be applied, to how public schools may choose accreditation, to funding for fixed-route transit systems — with implications for farmers, schools, nonprofits and motorists across the state.

Senate Bill 2086 — pesticide certification standards

The House amended and passed Senate Bill 2086, a statutory update to Chapter 4.1-33 of the North Dakota Century Code to revise pesticide certification standards and related sections of state law to conform with federal EPA directives. The bill was presented to the chamber by Representative Kiefer and recommended by the House Agriculture Committee. Representative Fraley raised concerns about how the bill’s language on supervision of restricted-use pesticides would affect small and family farms, saying weekend helpers or family members who traditionally assist with spraying could be restricted under the new supervision language. Representative Belz described the bill as a compromise that narrowed the regulation to herbicides and noted the state’s interest in working with the EPA rather than resisting changes.

Final vote: 68 yea, 25 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2129 — veterinary medicine and veterinary technology

Lawmakers approved an extensive rewrite of Chapter 43-29 of the North Dakota…