[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359823,"mediaKeyId","2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad","parentId",2175626,"title","Panel considers renaming First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day; testimony reflects differing views on scope","audioSeconds",1419,"startMs",3627000,"endMs",5046000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad&start=3627&end=5046","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad/thumbnail_3627000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359823/North-Dakota/Panel-considers-renaming-First-Nations-Day-to-Indigenous-Peoples-Day-testimony-reflects-differing-views-on-scope","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359823-74c50a421965e5dd5cde3b9367697a49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226473&Signature=gPzP0QxebI12mnRw8Iwgy-UrBXwMGg50kqOnBo4w7f25fZ~ZeVvGjLZ-a0tbKturCcaoBB7JlN7NFYYHwLMOXo3ftJMC0RQ974s1vTtaAJq7sbQFogNAQ~Bm8kYtwRA0J5lhvsGjV4~ged04b3h-gG9wqkjM4ZAb72VH9zNPZBwoxFvrRxauU~7XHixD0vc02W62fphoHKeAuskDTbkaGZOMQiWeUOgj2bwMQYBkOqyUrcNNEYGVFgf~HsroMLJ3zKglK7hFLlZ9NojCD0qcU~TzUygM0lIKNVHfG7MJJ1mdXpMWeoLC3-KIa6a11QmSrActX7fy7z8qk-qt9MGi5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Agriculture, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Finley DeVille introduced House Bill 15‑45 to rename the state observance currently called First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day. He framed the change as an effort to \"honor and recognize the rich history, culture, and contributions of indigenous people in North Dakota and throughout The United States.\" He asked the committee for a do‑pass recommendation.

Supporters included tribal leadership and elected lawmakers. Colette Brown (reading testimony from Spirit Lake Nation chairwoman Lana J. Street) urged the committee to back the change and said the term \"Indigenous Peoples Day is widely recognized and encompasses all Native American tribes and communities.\" Carol Two Eagles, a Lakota pipe carrier who helped lead the earlier naming deliberations, said the original compromise that led to First Nations Day included substantial discussion of naming and focus; she told the committee she prefers a North Dakota focus but respects the national usage and left the final decision to lawmakers.

Committee members asked detailed questions about terminology and scope. Representative Rios expressed concern that the term \"indigenous peoples\" can be broad — covering groups worldwide — and suggested alternatives such as \"Indigenous Peoples of North Dakota\" or \"Tribal Nations of North Dakota\" to concentrate recognition on residents and nations of the state. Testimony indicated some tribal and community advocates want alignment with the broader national and inter‑tribal movement to use \"Indigenous Peoples' Day,\" while others emphasized focusing on the state's tribes.

Representative Brown, reading Spirit Lake Nation testimony, said the change would \"align with North Dakota with growing national movement to honor rich histories, cultures and contributions of indigenous peoples.\" Representative Finley DeVille said he had consulted with tribal representatives and that community members who testifed supported the Indigenous Peoples' Day language.

No formal committee action is recorded in the transcript. The hearing record shows broad support among tribal representatives for the intent to elevate and recognize indigenous communities, and committee members sought clarity on whether the statutory language should refer specifically to the indigenous peoples of North Dakota or use the broader national term.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture Jan 30, 2025 II","oneSentenceSummary","House Agriculture Committee members heard testimony on House Bill 15‑45, which would rename the statutory observance currently called First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.","taxTitle","Agriculture, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28885,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359832,"House panel hears testimony for $3 million county fair resiliency grant program",2334,221000,2555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad&start=221&end=2555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad/thumbnail_221000.jpg","/articles/6359832/North-Dakota/House-panel-hears-testimony-for-3-million-county-fair-resiliency-grant-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359832-dca64a9116ec717b8d3253d1cbbeb575/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226473&Signature=DK7mhAOgTJuuP3LuV5wE8Jz7RmVZxABnMinb7mf4DQg8tyqjkZMIwbXC3y3pgC~3zD72BRPjJzuruh8c9cg930ldMdPYdrkPZXRB4FtKXbjEo2PDaSslfWigZjr2cc41nOj9V-Nnz3VG0HciukN0S2oOsAOiFPijp-Jjn5RUdbHjVrSxAfNlX8uyWStMQPWWAWEEAMLJAX6zig4UKOvT0k15G2-NcDypdtiODgOnz3wa-ltq4gaxts6BG4VAL7IqUo0~QI95GrnOlpuytaQzhSSre7zafdS5HarnDrC8eoxg6S0thNj1ajwaQnmAZzqNEiYj7uzjabZwKYQ7Ex4iaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Agriculture Committee members opened a hearing on House Bill 15‑91 on a proposed County Fair Resiliency Grant Program that would appropriate $3 million to the agriculture commissioner to help county fair associations repair or replace aging fairgrounds infrastructure.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Mitch Ausley, District 12, told the committee the program is \"designed to provide financial support for these much needed upgrades\" and said the Agriculture Commissioner’s office would administer the grants and develop application criteria. \"This grant program is an opportunity for us to partner with local organizations, nonprofits and municipalities,\" Ausley said.

The bill would provide a $3,000,000 appropriation to the agriculture commissioner and authorize reimbursable awards on a 50% cost-share basis, limited to $100,000 per county fair association, according to testimony from John Schneider, business marketing and information division director speaking on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. Schneider told the committee the awards would be \"based on need.\" He asked the committee for a do‑pass recommendation.

Fair managers, fair board members and agricultural groups gave unanimous support in testimony. Wallace County fair manager Brad Brumman described an engineering report that showed his livestock arena likely needs full replacement at an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million; he said routine repair budgets for his county were about $16,000 per year. Don Gelsing, vice president of the Pierce County Fair, described starting a fair from scratch in his community and said new fairgrounds will require water, sewer, buildings and parking. Mercer County Fair volunteer Mark Hafner described recent investments in hoop barns and electrical work and said building a new out‑of‑town fairground could cost an estimated $20 million.

Committee members asked how many county fair organizations exist (testimony put the number at about 31) and whether counties and local communities could provide the local match. Brumman said his fair board had discussed how a $100,000 award would be used and expected counties and communities would raise additional funds for larger projects. Representative Ausley said he initially capped the per‑project award at $100,000 when developing the appropriation and left administration details to the commissioner’s office. Committee Chair Belts noted the bill as written does not require a local match but that the Ag Department had suggested including one.

Speakers emphasized fairs’ community and youth roles. Multiple witnesses described fairgrounds being used year‑round as community centers, the role of 4‑H and FFA education, volunteer labor (Pierce County described about 300 volunteers), and safety improvements such as pathways for emergency vehicles and accessible routes for wheelchair users.

There were no formal committee actions or votes recorded in the hearing transcript. Testimony closed with committee staff reminding audience members to sign in if they wished to register support.

The committee recessed after the hearing; the transcript does not record whether the committee took subsequent action on the bill.

Outlook: The hearing record shows substantial stakeholder support and a request for a $3 million appropriation, while committee questions focused on the cap per project, whether a local match should be required, and how limited state funds would be allocated among roughly 30–31 fairgrounds.

","House Agriculture Committee members heard testimony on House Bill 15‑91, which would appropriate $3 million to an Agriculture Department‑administered County Fair Resiliency Grant Program to reimburse up to 50% of infrastructure projects and cap awards at $100,000 per county fair association.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359828,"Proposed change to oilseed refund process draws opposition from checkoff organizations",2920,3094000,6014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad&start=3094&end=6014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175626-46691f2b698ac1a5ea249ff9d90e9bad/thumbnail_3094000.jpg","/articles/6359828/North-Dakota/Proposed-change-to-oilseed-refund-process-draws-opposition-from-checkoff-organizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359828-f4a82b0e095236f935668621ab5acb0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226473&Signature=K4TKjK2082VoEsdAcjyjfHfHdB2qbHh6FrAsCkmfWYS63h97DLmNDbq9~UcYPgA6QLo~lrNAm1B4ecWjpRi0hGVvhzeBYEG4DIqbJrBne~sFVTOZJUbEXCrFC0ZE76joDe-HqKcUqlc~xhz9zPV4AAx-cq6CKH1KP1w8Ym5Yx8hx7tq8rVST0~KCjxrBtFkxf8RIKnS8vy84kOaxTK7cvKrILIh29ztUAl7kz~XTqH-IQXYNSby~NKqljJLVetpy3ntn6LCFG8HzWVTX6GG9B8UCzw48mgdTvb7zGvgwJ8u2UTQ35By6PjGmYt149gdtkfPl7RnU7jNKE-T~fE~7PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ty Dressler (District 36) introduced House Bill 15‑09 to simplify the refund process producers use to reclaim voluntary oilseed checkoff assessments. Dressler told the House Agriculture Committee the bill would allow producers up to one year to request and submit a refund application, require the North Dakota Oilseed Council to post a refund form on its website, and require the council to issue refunds within 30 days of receiving a completed request.

\"This is a simple straightforward bill, simplifying a process and adding transparency for all parties involved,\" Dressler said, noting his intent was not to harm commodity councils but to reduce producer paperwork and timing burdens.

Several producers and farm advocates testified in support, saying harvest schedules and year‑round marketing make current deadlines burdensome. Farmer Jody Hoff said an online form and longer filing window would be helpful during busy seasons. Representative Dressler and witnesses said the current process requires a producer to request a refund application in 60 days and then submit the application and documentation within 90 days of assessment.

Representatives of the North Dakota Oilseed Council and several commodity groups opposed the bill. John Wirt, chairman of the North Dakota Oilseed Council, said the council relies on predictable, quarterly revenues to budget research, promotion and advocacy contracts. He warned that lengthening the refund window to a year \"introduces significant uncertainty and complicates financial planning\" and could force councils to set aside larger reserves or reduce program funding. Wirt said the council’s current refund rate is small (about 3.6–3.7% as cited in testimony).

Northern Canola Growers Association executive director Barry Coleman and other commodity representatives told the committee they had not seen producer complaints about the existing refund timeline and cautioned against diverging from uniform refund language adopted in past legislative work. Annika Plummer of the North Dakota Ag Coalition said the uniform 60/90‑day process was adopted after extensive stakeholder work and that changing it could affect budgeting across multiple checkoff organizations.

Committee members asked whether the council could post a downloadable form online while keeping current deadlines, and whether a shorter extension (for example, 120 days) could balance producer convenience and council budgeting. John Wirt said posting a downloadable form could be efficient, but he and other witnesses expressed concern that differing deadlines across commodity checkoffs would create confusion for producers who raise multiple crops.

No committee vote is recorded in the transcript. The hearing record shows a split between producers seeking simpler, more flexible timing and councils emphasizing predictable revenue and existing low refund rates.

","Representative Ty Dressler introduced House Bill 15‑09 to lengthen the refund window for North Dakota Oilseed Council checkoff assessments to one year, post a refund form online, and require the council to issue refunds within 30 days of receipt.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel considers renaming First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day; testimony reflects differing views on scope

House panel hears testimony for $3 million county fair resiliency grant program

Proposed change to oilseed refund process draws opposition from checkoff organizations