Legislative counsel summarized Senate changes to the House version of House Bill 1009 (Department of Agriculture) and the committee approved the bill as amended.

Nut graf: The Senate amendments added a plant protection FTE and operating funding, restored $80,000 for the grape and wine grant program, increased wildlife services funding by $150,000, converted certain one‑time items to ongoing status, and added one‑time Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (SIF) grants for food pantry protein purchases and autonomous technology pilot grants.

Grant (legislative counsel) told the committee the Senate added one new plant protection FTE with $113,382 of combined general fund and Environment and Rangeland Protection Fund support and $41,396 for operating expenses; salary funding was reallocated from existing pools producing a net reduction of $18,537 in general‑fund salary totals. The Senate also removed a $250,000 house provision and provided $500,000 total for state fleet rate increases.

The amendments added $80,000 to restore grape and wine grant funding; $150,000 from the environment and rangeland protection fund for wildlife services (to a total of $1,807,400); moved $3,000,000 from Bank of North Dakota profits and $400,000 general fund items from one‑time to ongoing, and added SIF one‑time funding of $2,000,000 for meat/protein grants to food pantries and $500,000 for autonomous technology grants.

The committee took a motion for a due‑pass as amended on HB1009; the roll call showed the motion carried (several members recorded “yes”; the committee left the roll open for one member absent). The committee chair said the bill will move forward to full committee action as the committee’s carrier.

Ending: Committee approved the agriculture budget as amended and will carry it forward to the full committee for consideration.