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Committee votes to not pass duplicate bill on agricultural assessment modifiers after sponsor cites identical Senate bill
Summary
The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee heard testimony supporting House Bill 1508, which would require county assessors to apply soil productivity, land use and modifiers when assessing agricultural land. Witnesses said Senate Bill 2367 already contains the same requirement and the committee voted a do‑not‑pass recommendation.
The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee on Wednesday heard support for House Bill 1508, a proposal to clarify that agricultural land assessments must take into account soil productivity, land use and applicable modifiers. Testimony came from producers and farm organizations who said inconsistent county application produced unfair disparities for landowners who straddle county lines.
Representative Porter introduced the bill on behalf of a constituent, Dale Johnson of Mandan, who testified that neighboring counties treat similar parcels differently. Johnson presented paired tax statements and soil‑productivity maps from Logan, Kidder and Emmons counties to show that the same or similar land was taxed at markedly different rates depending on whether it was classified and modified as cropland or pasture. He also cited county rental‑rate data showing pasture rents commonly run about 30–50% of cropland rent in the region.
Several agricultural organizations voiced support. A representative of the Stockmen's Association said the measure’s intent is consistent with a companion Senate measure; North Dakota Farmers Union and the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association also supported HB1508. Pete Hanover of the North Dakota Farm Bureau recounted a prior county assessment case in Burke County where outside contractors failed to apply modifiers correctly, producing sharp and erroneous reassessments.
Committee members were told that Senate Bill 2367 (referred to in testimony as Senate Bill 23‑67) already requires assessors to use soil classification, land use and modifiers; several witnesses said the Senate measure has passed both chambers and was on the governor’s desk. After that cross‑testimony, Senator Wallin moved a do‑not‑pass recommendation for House Bill 1508 on the ground it duplicates provisions already passed in Senate Bill 2367. Senator Powers seconded the motion. The committee clerk conducted a roll call and recorded affirmative votes to recommend do not pass; the chair announced the motion carried and asked Senator Wallin to carry the bill.
Committee members closed the hearing on House Bill 1508 after concluding the Senate bill satisfied the sponsor’s objective; staff and witnesses may provide written records and supporting materials to the file.
