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North Dakota panel lowers registration fees for in-state pet food makers, forwards bill
Summary
The House Agriculture Committee voted to forward House Bill 1526, which cuts pet food product registration and renewal fees for North Dakota manufacturers to $50, citing support from producers and the Agriculture Department.
The House Agriculture Committee on Thursday voted to forward House Bill 1526, reducing registration and renewal fees for pet food products made by North Dakota residents from roughly $120/$100 to $50 per product.
Supporters said the change aims to help small, local manufacturers afford registration as they move from farmer's‑market and Pride of Dakota sales to wider commercial distribution. Representative Mark Nelson, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the change mirrors Montana law and would help producers with multiple products continue to sell without bearing high per‑product fees.
Jamie Goode, feed specialist speaking on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, said the fiscal note counts product registrations rather than individual producers and confirmed the numbers in the department estimate. “Those numbers are product numbers that we've estimated are gonna affect,” Goode told the committee.
Cheryl Woodcock, owner of Farmer Tilly's homemade dog treats, testified she registers nine products with the state and said the lower fee would let her bring several new items to market without being priced out. “When I make less than $30,000 a year selling my dog treats, $50 as opposed to $100 is a big savings for me because I also have to have my labels printed and packaging,” Woodcock said.
Representative Anderson moved a due‑pass motion; Representative Olson seconded. Representative Henderson said she supported the bill and “we should support our in‑state producers.” The committee then adopted the motion; the clerk recorded a committee tally reported in the hearing as 12 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. The committee asked for a carrier; Representative Anderson agreed to carry the bill.
The bill also clarifies that the registration exemption applies only to North Dakota residents and adjusts labeling language in statute, according to department testimony.
Next steps: HB 1526 will proceed from the House Agriculture Committee to the full House with a committee recommendation to pass.
