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Senate fails agricultural property tax buy‑down after close debate and amendment vote

February 25, 2025 | Senate, Legislative, North Dakota


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Senate fails agricultural property tax buy‑down after close debate and amendment vote
Senator Eberly (carrying Senate Bill 23‑63) described the bill as a property tax relief measure focused on agricultural property. The bill originally proposed a larger reduction and the Appropriations Committee amended it to a smaller buy‑down; sponsors said the change reflected negotiation to keep agricultural property in the conversation while other property tax proposals move through the session.

Floor debate covered fairness, sustainability and local impacts. Senator Rummel noted the bill's fiscal note for a 15‑mill buy‑down was about $40,250,000 and translated that into an average savings per acre of roughly 51 cents per year; he called the measure not substantial and questioned fairness across income‑producing classes of property. Other senators argued the proposal was intended to keep rural taxpayers at the table while the Legislature considers additional property tax relief measures targeted at primary residences.

An amendment offered on the floor adjusted mill rates in the bill and, according to sponsors, reduced the fiscal exposure roughly in half; the Senate adopted that amendment on a verification roll call. After continued debate the chamber voted on final passage and the tally was a 23‑23 tie, so the bill failed.

Supporters urged including agriculture in broader property tax relief rather than leaving relief only for residential taxpayers; opponents raised constitutional concerns about singling out one class of income‑producing property and warned about shifting local tax burdens or future cost pressures. Appropriations reported a no recommendation while the policy committee had been closely divided on the measure. The bill's failure leaves property‑tax relief proposals from the other chamber available for continued negotiation.

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