HB 1436 Summary

• Restructures the North Dakota beef commission from appointed members to nine geographical districts, each electing one cattle industry representative to serve on the commission.

• Expands the definition of "cattle industry representative" to include beef producers, cattle feeders, dairy producers, and public livestock market representatives.

• Requires livestock auction markets and livestock dealers to collect assessments from cattle sellers and forward seller names and addresses to the commission.

• Establishes the North Dakota state university extension service director to oversee nominations and elections for district commission members, with at least five cattle industry representatives required to nominate candidates.

• Allows cattle industry representatives to petition for referendums on assessment adjustments, requiring 15 percent of statewide representatives' signatures with no more than 50 percent from the same district; Section 2 becomes effective January 1, 2024.