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Committee expands ag‑infrastructure grant eligibility to small cities; amendment and final passage recorded
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to add cities under 1,500 population to eligibility for the Agriculture Infrastructure Grant program and gave House Bill 12‑35 a do‑pass as amended; roll calls were recorded for both the amendment and final passage.
The Political Subdivisions Committee voted to amend House Bill 12‑35 to add cities with populations of 1,500 residents or fewer to the list of entities eligible for the Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program. Representative Jim Greenike (sponsor) told the committee the change would allow small rural cities to apply for grant funds to construct access roads and other infrastructure needed to support new value‑added agricultural facilities.
Why it matters: The program funds local infrastructure tied to agricultural processing and value‑added projects. Extending eligibility to very small cities gives those communities a funding route when an employer or processor locates within city limits and the local government lacks the budget to build required access roads.
Key testimony
- Representative Jim Greenike, sponsor, described the amendment as targeted to “rural North Dakota” and said working with Commissioner Gehring produced a population cutoff intended to protect the fund from large applicants. - Matt Gardner, executive director of the North Dakota League of Cities, and representatives from North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and North Dakota Farm Bureau supported the change and said the program helps retain value‑added processing in state.
Committee action and votes
- Amendment (add cities with population 1,500 or less): moved by Representative Clamine, seconded by Representative Toman. Recorded result: yes 10, no 1, absent not voting 2. - Final bill vote (House Bill 12‑35 as amended): recorded result: yes 11, no 0, absent not voting 2. Representative Clamine agreed to carry the bill on the floor.
Clarifying points
Representatives discussed the appropriate population threshold during debate; some members signaled willingness to revisit the cutoff later and noted that counties and townships had been eligible under the program from the start.
Ending: The committee adopted the amendment and gave House Bill 12‑35 a do‑pass recommendation as amended; the committee recorded roll‑call votes as noted.
