Committee hears bill to double livestock brand fee from $25 to $50; Stockmen cite program shortfalls

Dale Patton introduced Senate Bill 2139 to the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee and said the measure would increase the fee for registering or rerecording a livestock brand from $25 to $50 for a five‑year registration period. "The bill changes the fees for registering a brand from $25 to $50," Patton said when presenting the title.

Representatives of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association testified the brand recording program is largely fee-funded, serves about "more than 20,000 brands" and operates with minimal staff. Joe Shetler (recorded later as Joe Shutler), who read prepared testimony and spoke as the brand board chair, said the last fee increase occurred in 2003 and that rising costs have eroded program reserves. He said the program runs on fees and that on non‑renewal years the program "eats into its small amount of reserves." The testimony stated the program had under $50,000 in reserves and that, for the current cycle, it "appears the program will show approximately $130,000 loss." The Stockmen's Association said even after doubling the fee North Dakota would remain among the lower-cost jurisdictions that record brands.

Shetler told the committee the increase was approved as a board decision and supported by membership at the Stockmen's annual convention. He said some producers suggested even greater increases, but the board pursued a doubling to $50 as a measured step.

Opposition testimony urged a smaller increase. Frank Tomac, a Sioux County rancher, said he opposed doubling the fee and suggested alternatives such as raising the fee to $30–$35. "Could we possibly go maybe a 3rd higher instead of doubling it? Maybe maybe go to $30, $35?" Tomac asked, saying he believed the program needed some increase but questioned whether doubling was necessary.

Committee members asked about staffing and program expenses. Testimony from Stockmen representatives said the program operates with about 1.25 full‑time equivalent staff and that salary and benefits constitute the majority of program costs. No committee vote or amendment was recorded during the hearing; the committee recessed to move rooms and did not take further action on SB 2139 during the session.

Less-critical details: witnesses compared North Dakota's fee to other states and provinces (testimony supplied a list) and noted that brand registration functions like a title for animals and is required to keep a brand active.