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Appraisers, lenders back removing 80‑acre disclosure exemption from deeds; committee holds vote open
Summary
A bill that would remove the deed‑recording exemption for agricultural parcels under 80 acres drew strong support from appraisers, Farm Credit and lenders who said the change would reduce appraisal costs and improve valuation accuracy; committee voted to advance but held the roll call open for an absent member.
Senator Dean Rummel introduced Senate Bill 2152, proposing to remove the exemption in the statute that currently allows agricultural parcels smaller than 80 acres to avoid recording a "statement of full consideration" on deeds. "This will provide for more transparency and access to the market value information for the public and for appraisers and tax directors," he told the committee.
Appraisers and lenders testified in strong support. Bill Guillen, a certified general appraiser who works in southwest North Dakota, said the change would be "a game changer" for appraisers who currently struggle to find comparable sales for small rural parcels: "When you don't have comparative information and you buy a tract of land less than 80 acres ... the appraisal costs ... are going to be substantially less if they have information to compare against." Alyssa Glass of the North Dakota Farm Credit Council said access to sales data could speed appraisal turnaround and potentially reduce costs for borrowers.
There was no testimony in opposition presented in committee. Senator Weber moved a due‑pass recommendation and Senator Weston seconded; the clerk began a roll call but the vote was held open for an absent member. After the hearing the committee agreed to hold the roll open and return the item for final action.
Committee members asked for clarity on exemptions that would remain in statute (family transfers, estate transfers and other listed exceptions) and on whether the change would apply prospectively. Testimony and the sponsor indicated the change would apply to deeds recorded after the statutory effective date.
