Senate floor roundup: agriculture funding, property-tax changes, energy study and multiple agency budgets advance

The North Dakota Senate handled a broad set of budget and policy measures on Friday, approving appropriations bills, confirming an appointment, advancing tax and agricultural measures and voting on several agency budgets.

Major outcomes recorded on the floor excerpt include:

- House Bill 1009 (agriculture commissioner budget): The Senate adopted committee amendments to the agriculture commissioner’s budget that restored or adjusted multiple funding lines (including $113,382 general fund for a plant-protection FTE, $80,000 to restore grape-and-wine grant program funding, $150,000 IRF fund for aerial predator control pilot services, and $5,500,000 total SIF one-time appropriations for specified programs). The bill passed final passage on the floor with a recorded vote of 44 yeas, 2 nays and 2 absent.

- House Bill 1168 (property tax / primary residence credit and related changes): The Finance and Tax Committee presented amendments that raise the primary-residence credit cap, adjust timing for county payments, exempt townships from duplicate votes, adjust disabled-veteran exemption parity, and add future intent language for distribution of legacy fund property-tax relief to other classes. The Senate adopted the committee’s amendments and re-referred the bill to Appropriations.

- House Bill 1298 (speed limits, fines, points, variable speed zones): The Senate passed an amended package (see separate article). Division votes and final passage were recorded on the floor.

- House Bill 1579 (legislative management study on large energy consumers): The Senate approved the bill directing legislative management to study the impact of large energy consumers, including grid stability, siting and regulatory structure and economic impacts; the committee reported a 7–0 do-pass recommendation and the bill passed on a roll call of 46 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent.

- Senate Bill 2086 (pesticide certification standards): The Senate concurred in minor House technical amendments and then passed the bill by roll call (46–0). Sponsors said the bill updates state certification standards to meet federal EPA requirements and maintain the statewide applicator certification program.

- Senate Bill 2021 (Information Technology Department budget): The Senate concurred in House amendments that reduced some proposed IT spending and then passed the budget on final passage (final tally 47 yeas, 1 nay, 1 absent). Sponsors described the changes as timing and prioritization adjustments, including reduced additions for cybersecurity contracts and some licensing.

- Senate Bill 2025 (Department of Veterans Affairs budget): The chamber concurred in House amendments that restored FTEs and added funding for homeless-veteran services and authorized federal spending authority for rural transportation grants; the bill passed with the emergency clause and was described as restoring staffing and providing new authorities for veterans services.

- Senate Bill 2267 (on-site wastewater treatment systems): The Senate concurred in House amendments to reform oversight and funding for on-site wastewater systems, including one-time appropriations for DEQ regulatory oversight; the bill passed on final reading.

- Senate Bill 2327 (agriculture diversification and development fund): The Senate concurred in House amendments establishing committee membership and per diem details; the bill passed final reading.

Additional floor business: The Senate received correspondence from the governor requesting confirmation of an appointment to the North Dakota Gaming Commission (Dan Kovacs); the procedural committee recommended confirmation and the chamber adopted the committee report. The Senate also approved committee appointments for several conference committees and made minor personnel and clerical corrections to the journal.

Votes at a glance (selected items from floor excerpt): - House Bill 1009 (Agriculture budget): Passed 44–2–2 (yea–nay–absent). - House Bill 1168 (Property-tax amendments): Committee amendments adopted; re-referred to Appropriations (vote to adopt amendment recorded as adopted; exact final roll-call on passage not in excerpt). - House Bill 1298 (Speed limits/fines/points): Passed (division votes recorded: Division A 28–18; Division B 30–16; final passage 25–20–1). - House Bill 1579 (Study on large energy consumers): Passed 46–0–1 (yea–nay–absent). - Senate Bill 2086 (Pesticide certification): Concurred in House amendments; final passage 46–0–0. - Senate Bill 2021 (IT budget): Final passage 47–1–1. - Senate Bill 2025 (Veterans Affairs): Concurred in House amendments and final passage (vote recorded; emergency clause adopted). - Senate Bill 2267 (On-site wastewater): Passed (final tally recorded as passed with 1 abstention noted in transcript segment). - Senate Bill 2327 (Ag diversification): Passed on final reading (roll-call recorded as passed).

What to watch next: Several bills that passed the Senate will proceed to conference committees or return to the House for concurrence where House–Senate amendments exist. Conference committees were anticipated to meet through the weekend and into Monday, and leaders asked senators to keep schedules flexible for potential evening and Saturday work.

This floor excerpt covered a mix of appropriations, regulatory updates, statutory amendments and policy studies, reflecting the late-session push to complete bills before adjournment.