BISMARCK – The North Dakota State House passed a bill Wednesday that provides an election process for members of the North Dakota Beef Commission.
House Bill 1436 would outline an election process for the membership of the North Dakota Beef Commission, so those on the commission would no longer be appointed by the executive branch.
Some of the bill sponsors, including the bill carrier Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck, R-Dis. 25, Wahpeton, and the primary sponsor Rep. Mike Beltz, R-Dis. 20, Hillsboro, spoke and voted against the bill, saying it was brought forth in good faith, but the issues of the bill should only be addressed by producers of beef themselves. However, several legislators spoke in favor, saying ranchers should have a say on who are the members of the North Dakota Beef Commission.
The bill failed by a vote of 67 to 26.
