Testimony of Jeff Olson,
Registration Coordinator
House Bill 1024
March 12, 2003
10:00 a.m.
Senate Finance and Taxation Committee
Lewis and Clark Room

Chairman Urlacher and members of the committee. My name is Jeff Olson. I am a Program Manager at the Department of Agriculture. I am here to provide neutral testimony on HB 1024, a bill that consolidates county mill levies.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has mill levy requirements for cost-sharing noxious weed control funds. The Department in conjunction with the North Dakota Weed Control Association developed the existing formula used for dispersement of cost-share funds based on the counties contribution toward weed control and the minimum mill levy requirements. The Department assumes that if the mill levies are consolidated, that documentation of the dedicated mills for weed control will be certified by the counties each year to comply with N.D.C.C. 63-01.1-06 #4 of a minimum 3 mill requirement. I've attached a copy of the noxious weed law for your information.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would be happy to answer any questions at this time.