SB 2026 Summary

• Establishes North Dakota seed department on North Dakota State University campus as the official seed-certifying agency with a 9-member seed commission governed by the agriculture commissioner.

• Creates certification system for seed potatoes requiring certification by the seed commissioner, another state/province with equivalent standards, or field inspection approval; exempts growers planting less than one acre or using their own certified parent seed.

• Establishes seed potato control areas through petition process requiring 80% landowner approval, governed by 3-member committees with authority to impose assessments up to 2.5 cents per hundredweight on seed potatoes produced in the area.

• Seed commissioner granted powers to inspect properties, test seeds and potatoes, collect fees, and issue phytosanitary certificates; all revenues deposited in continuing appropriation seed department fund with 20% investment income to general fund and 80% retained.

• Violations subject to class A misdemeanor (criminal) or civil penalties up to $5,000 for seed potato certification violations and class B misdemeanor for seed potato control area violations; repeals prior seed potato chapters.