[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6088526,"mediaKeyId","2880047-8f3227f3dd078eae7286f736ebf173b2","parentId",2880047,"title","Committee delays action on SB 1318 amid legal concerns over \"notwithstanding\" language and chemical labeling","audioSeconds",835,"startMs",780000,"endMs",1615000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880047-8f3227f3dd078eae7286f736ebf173b2&start=780&end=1615","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880047-8f3227f3dd078eae7286f736ebf173b2/thumbnail_780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088526/North-Dakota/Committee-delays-action-on-SB-1318-amid-legal-concerns-over-notwithstanding-language-and-chemical-labeling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088526-5325d980d96d5924e465d8a78b0badeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164223&Signature=ifoYkgfVwV2daTfb2lU~VgbvORAx5uMTkFxr6HzFgXNSZRe8u6mjoHINyIT6iF1gZ7X5nypVghFb4WGOog9cVojz0QiMWM61dmw4OsUhCPHumEc9~w72ewOHgOL-j4DnSZheSEwcRZrIYimJPd5VBJuNUYbXyUBcO86CeIZ1wPjTBzbdl6tlmBNDeeeuzVahW14dqBu0eqJtVabo15kZGdNjC08sVoJTHRPrjpIBGmSNM0FHK6CtRXn4EQmfA1BIKcvgUfZqm3QdRURubUImjvkaKlBwIne9E8ozP-Y2Rt8KnPkh-1Oo7RNxQIVMxOY3NURTMkTxNI4KwLimmyTaPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee paused further action on Senate Bill 1318 after members raised legal and practical concerns about the bill’s language and its potential effect on labeling and liability for agricultural chemicals.

Chairman Lewick told the committee the law’s phrasing could reach beyond a narrow set of products. “My concern with 13 18 is the legal language in that bill,” he said, noting that the bill as drafted could affect “16,000 different chemicals and labelings on those jugs of different things that we use in agriculture.” He said he wanted to better understand the legal implications before moving the measure.

Members discussed the bill’s use of the word “notwithstanding,” which several senators said can create conflicts with existing code. Senator Bridal summarized the concern: when a provision begins with “notwithstanding,” it can create uncertainty about whether other code sections remain applicable. Bridal cited a code reference in the discussion: “Centricode 28, -1.3-four,” and said attorneys he had consulted were split on the interpretation and whether sellers and retailers could be exposed to liability.

Senator Winston echoed that uncertainty, asking whether a court could later treat an existing label as a “sufficient warning” even if the label were incorrect. Winston said opinions differed among attorneys and that outcomes could depend on judicial interpretation.

Senator Weber said he had received many emails urging opposition and questioned the legitimacy of some submissions, adding context about federal review: “EPA, I think is, you know, they they have their researchers and scientists and PhD, and they are very conservative in their rulings.”

Members discussed options to limit risk while allowing the policy to move forward, including a temporary sunset. Lewick reported advice he had received that suggested a longer review period; committee members discussed a two- or four-year sunset as a possible compromise to allow time for attorneys and agencies to study effects before the bill would fully take effect.

Committee members also said they would consult additional legal counsel and stakeholders, including Representative Porter and the Department of Water Resources where related issues were raised, before taking further action. The chair said he would seek additional input and reconvene the committee once members had more information.

No formal motion or vote on SB 1318 was taken during the meeting; members agreed to stand at ease while the chair pursued further information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Friday, Apr 4, 2025 8:55 AM - 9:28 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members raised questions about SB 1318's legal wording and potential effects on labeling and liability for thousands of chemicals; members asked for further legal review and suggested a multi-year sunset as a possible fix.","taxTitle","Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28898,"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},6088530,"Committee recommends 'do not pass' on Senate Bill 1541",231,542000,773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880047-8f3227f3dd078eae7286f736ebf173b2&start=542&end=773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880047-8f3227f3dd078eae7286f736ebf173b2/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6088530/North-Dakota/Committee-recommends-do-not-pass-on-Senate-Bill-1541","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088530-40732aa340f110a33e40045eb31f5fd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164223&Signature=GgGUocPKsDgC09e2kXQ5iMVMmVcJMuXRGSePvs3tVylY2MqH0lMa9oye8uTWwowd3czdreQeQpJyTo7TCxVxBOStmQhxtv7yL2WAcbN8vUDLvnam2rk665oOVzzgSMKeOPF-m~TZC2oX7wVspeCJHN2ACRrB0lTUxzC~tjm1Ro89hwC4WIUTvBfC~6iT7eLNIdb8sV2ZfrbQFDSRy4KmGquHs~P6SE3zF1mKU7bU6lvviayEKnIHWwifm4DCnUaOlsF5xD2iR8r1qxzEnABvsaNnciXOf8NwsFAUuvAj~sbRyEUfldoOA-hezAIqGHt-ziUYmO4hGWGRxXm5woogoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to recommend a “do not pass” on Senate Bill 1541 during its committee meeting; the clerk recorded unanimous support for that recommendation.

Committee members said they preferred to let a related House bill serve as the single vehicle for the policy. Chairman Lewick announced the motion and identified the senators who sponsored and seconded it before the clerk called the roll. “We have a motion and a second on 1541 of a do not pass. Senator Weber and Senator Lim,” the chair said.

The motion was made by Senator Weber and seconded by Senator Len. During discussion, Weber said progress in the House and agreement with the governor’s office made it preferable to work from the House vehicle. “I think if we had just one vehicle to work with here is gonna be a little better,” Weber said. Lewick concurred that the governor’s office appeared to be more aligned with the House measure.

The clerk read the roll for the do-not-pass recommendation. The committee recorded the following votes: Senator Marsalais — yes; Senator Westin — yes; Senator Weber — yes; Chairman Lewick — yes; Vice Chair Meerdal — aye; Senator Len — aye. The tally was 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

With the committee recommendation recorded, members moved on to other pending bills on the agenda.

The committee did not adopt further amendments to SB 1541 at the meeting and did not take floor action; the record shows only the committee recommendation.","The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend a \"do not pass\" on SB 1541 after members said a separate House bill had broader support.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee delays action on SB 1318 amid legal concerns over "notwithstanding" language and chemical labeling

Committee recommends 'do not pass' on Senate Bill 1541