ND Department of Agriculture
Legislative Testimony - 2007

Testimony of Wayne R. Carlson
Livestock Service Program Manager
Senate Bill 2278
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 15, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services  for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of SB 2278 would require townships and counties to file their zoning ordinance with the health department to be stored in a central repository.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1420
Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
March 15, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. I am here today in support of HB1420, which clarifies regulatory authority relating to livestock zoning and environmental regulation.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1506
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Fort Lincoln Room
10:15 am
March 9, 2007

Chairman Lyson and members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here this morning to offer testimony in favor of HB 1506, which establishes a voluntary renewable and recycled energy objective in North Dakota.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1456
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Fort Lincoln Room
March 9, 2007
9:30 am

Chairman Lyson and members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of HB 1456, which directs the Legislative Council to study the issues relating the siting of wind farms in North Dakota to provide recommendations to the 61st legislative assembly. 

Testimony of Jim Gray
Pesticide, Feed, and Fertilizer Team Leader
Senate Bill 2228
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 8, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Jim Gray, Pesticide, Feed, and Fertilizer Team Leader for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. I am here in support Senate Bill 2228 as amended.  This bill will amend Sections 4-35-21, and repeal Sections 4-35-21.1, and 4-35-21.2. of the Century Code.   This amendment will repeal a confusing part of the Century Code and remove state government involvement in civil matters between parties involved in pesticide damage claims.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1515
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Fort Lincoln Room
March 8, 2007

Chairman Lyson and members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here to offer testimony in favor of HB 1515, which would provide for a special demonstration project and incentives for biomass production in North Dakota. 

Testimony of Wayne R. Carlson
Livestock Service Program Manager
Senate Bill 2105
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 8, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services  for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of SB 2105 which changes the state’s dairy laws.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1462
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Fort Lincoln Room
March 8, 2007

Chairman Lyson and members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of HB 1462, which adopts “25x25” goal for the US, provides a tax exemption for shallow gas, directs the Legislative Council to appoint an energy development and transmission interim committee in each interim through 2011, directs Legislative Council to condense energy-related statutes into Chapter 17 of the ND Century Code and directs the Department of Commerce to convene an Energy Independence Council to develop a comprehensive energy policy. 

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1135
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
3:00 P.M.
March 6, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1135, which will allow the Bank of North Dakota (Bank) to transfer up to one million dollars per biennium from the Beginning Farmer Revolving Fund to the Value-Added Agriculture Equity Loan Program (ENVEST). 

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
House Concurrent Resolution 3033
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
March 2, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of HCR 3033, which urges Congress to not allow the importation of Canadian Cattle over 30 months of age.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2338
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 2, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian, Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota State Animal Identification Advisory Committee, to testify in support of  SB2338.

Testimony of Jim C. Clement, DVM
 Animal ID Coordinator
Senate Bill 2338
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 2, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Jim Clement, Animal ID Coordinator and would like to submit the following comments on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota State Animal Identification Advisory Committee, to testify in support of  SB2338.

Testimony of Wayne Carlson
Senate Bill 2179
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 2, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services.  I am here today in support of SB 2179 which provides funding to mitigate crop damage for blackbirds.  In addition, I would like to pledge our department’s cooperation in being the financial agent for these funds.

Testimony of Jim Gray
Pesticide Registration Coordinator
Senate Bill 2323
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
March 1, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Jim Gray, Pesticide Registration Coordinator with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today to testify in support of SB 2323, a bill that addresses the risks of pesticides to threatened and endangered species.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Engrossed House Bill 1181
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
9:00 a.m.
March 1, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in opposition of Engrossed HB 1181, which reduces the level of the credit-sale contract indemnity fund.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2114
House Appropriations Committee
Roughrider Room
February 26, 2007

Chairman Svedjan and members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of SB 2114, which will allow the Board to set the fees to be charged for brucellosis tags, identification tags, and health certificate books based upon actual production and shipping costs.  This bill also allows the Board to deposit these fees in the Department of Agriculture’s operating fund and apply them to the costs of the tags and books.

Testimony of Elwood Barth
Chairman, Credit Review Board
House Bill 1342
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 23, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Elwood Barth, Chairman of the Credit Review Board.  I am here today in support of SB 1342, which will remove duties of the Credit Review Board (CRB) related to the adult farm management program and the board’s participation in the farm management delivery system.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Engrossed Senate Bill 2104
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
9:00 a.m.
February 23, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of Engrossed SB 2104, which will expand the eligible uses of the livestock loan guarantee program. 

Testimony of Wayne Carlson
Livestock Services Program Manager
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager of Livestock Services for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (Department).  I am here today in support of SCR 4007 which urges congress to provide adequate funding to state meat and poultry inspection programs and to enact legislation that allows state-inspected product to be shipped interstate.

Testimony of Tom Silbernagel
Administrator
ND Agricultural Mediation Service
House Bill 1341
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Tom Silbernagel, Administrator of the ND Agricultural Mediation Service (AMS).  I am here today in support of SB 1341, which will allow the Agricultural Mediation Service to assist all North Dakota citizens adversely affected by decisions of United States Department of Agriculture agencies required to participate in mediation.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1135
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
1:30 P.M.
February 22, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1135, which will allow the Bank of North Dakota (Bank) to transfer up to one million dollars per biennium from the Beginning Farmer Revolving Fund to the Value-Added Agriculture Equity Loan Program (ENVEST). 

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
HCR 3061
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services, for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. I am here today in support of HCR 3061, which asks the Legislative Council to study the financial and environmental impact that confined animal operations have on local governments and to look into developing clear, concise and consistent laws regarding the siting of these facilities.

Testimony of Judy Carlson
Program Coordinator
House Bill 1085
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Judy Carlson, a Program Coordinator at the department of agriculture.  I am here today in support of HB 1085, which removes the sunset of the agricultural pesticide and pesticide container program, Project Safe Send.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1490
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1490, which will add a new section to North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 4-41 to allow the North Dakota State University (NDSU) and any other person licensed under this chapter the ability to import and sell viable industrial hemp seed, amends NDCC Section 12-60-04 to allow the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) the authority to conduct background checks for industrial hemp processors, and declares an emergency.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2059
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Porter and members of the Natural Resources Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of SB 2059, which will eliminate the fee for permits to propagate, domesticate, or possess protected wildlife.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2099
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 22, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of SB 2099, which amends Section 4-41-02 of the North Dakota Century Code to allow the agriculture commissioner to license industrial hemp processors, extends the exemption for background checks to the State Seed Department, and allows the Department of Agriculture to collect fees during the current biennium in order to operate the licensing program.

Testimony of Wayne R. Carlson
Livestock Service Program Manager
Senate Bill 2278
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
February 9, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services  for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of SB 2278 would require townships and counties to file their zoning ordinance with the health department to be stored in a central repository.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
House Concurrent Resolution 3033
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 9, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of HCR 3033, which urges Congress to not allow the importation of Canadian Cattle over 30 months of age.

Testimony of Jim C. Clement, DVM
 Animal ID Coordinator
Senate Bill 2338
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
February 9, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am Jim Clement, Animal ID Coordinator and would like to submit the following comments on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota State Animal Identification Advisory Committee, to testify in support of  SB2338.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2338
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
February 9, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am State Veterinarian, Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota State Animal Identification Advisory Committee, to testify in support of  SB2338.

Testimony of Gerald Thompson
Pesticide Enforcement Coordinator
Senate Bill 2228
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 8, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Gerald Thompson, Pesticide Enforcement Coordinator for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. I am here in support of the proposed amendments to Senate Bill 2228 which will amend Sections 4-35-21, and repeal Sections 4-35-21.1, and 4-35-21.2. of the Century Code.   This amendment will repeal a confusing part of the Century Code and remove state government involvement in civil matters between parties involved in pesticide damage claims.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Concurrent Resolution 3028
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 8, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which urges Congress to recognize the multiple benefits of industrial hemp and to facilitate the growing of industrial hemp and the expansion of industries reliant on industrial hemp-based products.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Concurrent Resolution 3042
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 8, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 3042, which urges Congress to direct the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to differentiate between industrial hemp and marijuana. 

Testimony of Jeff Weispfenning
Deputy Agriculture Commissioner
HCR 3020
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
February 8, 2007

Chairman Porter and members of the House Natural Resources Committee, I am Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Jeff Weispfenning.   I’m here today on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson to offer testimony in favor of HCR 3020, which would establish a goal for North Dakota and the United States that 25 percent of our energy comes from renewable energy sources by the year 2025.  HCR 3020 also calls for ongoing support of various federal tax credits and programs that will enhance renewable energy industries.

Testimony of Elwood Barth
Chairman, Credit Review Board
House Bill 1342
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 2, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Elwood Barth, Chairman of the Credit Review Board.  I am here today in support of HB 1342, which will remove duties of the Credit Review Board (CRB) related to the adult farm management program and the board’s participation in the farm management delivery system.

Testimony of Tom Silbernagel
Administrator
ND Agricultural Mediation Service
House Bill 1341
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 2, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Tom Silbernagel, Administrator of the ND Agricultural Mediation Service (AMS).  I am here today in support of HB 1341, which will allow the Agricultural Mediation Service to assist all North Dakota citizens adversely affected by decisions of United States Department of Agriculture agencies required to participate in mediation.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1483
House Government & Veterans Affairs Committee
Fort Union Room
February 2, 2007
8:00 am

Chairman Haas and members of the House Government & Veterans Affairs Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of HB 1483, which would allow the Office of Management & Budget to develop a bio-based procurement program in coordination with the State Board of Higher Education.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1456
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
February 2, 2007
8:30 am

Chairman Porter and members of the House Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of HB 1456, which would provide authority for the Public Service Commission to study the issues related to the siting of wind farms in North Dakota.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
HCR 3010
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. I am here today in support of HCR 3010, which urges Congress to support mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for all meat products.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2391
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 1, 2007
2:45 pm

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of SB 2391, which would provide a refund incentive to retailers who meet a certain retail ethanol sales percentages each year.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2282
Senate Transportation Committee
Lewis & Clark Room
February 1, 2007
10:00 am

Chairman Lee and members of the Senate Transportation Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of SB 2282, which would establish a renewable fuel standard in North Dakota and provide a number of retail incentives for the sale of ethanol-blended and biodiesel-blended fuels.  The legislation would establish a goal of replacing 25 percent of all gasoline with biofuels by the year 2020.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1490
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1490, which will add a new section to North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 4-41 to allow the North Dakota State University (NDSU) authority to import and sell viable industrial hemp seed, will amend NDCC Section 12-60-04 to allow the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) the authority to conduct background checks for industrial hemp processors, and will provide NDSU an appropriation to conduct industrial hemp research.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2254
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Fort Lincoln Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Lyson and members of the Natural Resources Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in regard to SB 2254 which will prohibit fee shooting on non-traditional livestock (NTL) and farmed elk facilities.  This bill will also change some of the regulations regarding escapes, identification, and fencing.  The Board will not take a position on section one, the fee shooting portion of the bill, as that is not a health issue.  However, we do have concerns about sections 2 and 3.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
House Bill 1039
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Porter and members of the Natural Resources Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of HB 1039 which will allow the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to establish administrative rules regarding the baiting of wildlife.

Testimony of Jim C. Clement, DVM
 Animal ID Coordinator
Senate Bill 2338
Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Jim Clement, Animal ID Coordinator and would like to submit the following comments on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota State Animal Identification Advisory Committee, to testify in support of  SB2338.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2338
Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian, Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota State Animal Identification Advisory Committee, to testify in support of  SB2338.

Testimony of Jim Gray
Pesticide Registration Coordinator
Senate Bill 2323
Senate Appropriations Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 1, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am Jim Gray, Pesticide Registration Coordinator with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today to testify regarding SB 2323, a bill that addresses the risks of pesticides to threatened and endangered species.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2197
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
January 30, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of Senate Bill 2197 which will create a North Dakota elementary student entrepreneurship program under the authority of the state board for career and technical education.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1135
House Appropriations Committee
Roughrider Room
January 29, 2007

Chairman Svedjan and members of the Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1135, which will allow the Bank of North Dakota (Bank) to transfer up to one million dollars per biennium from the Beginning Farmer Revolving Fund to the Value-Added Agriculture Equity Loan Program (ENVEST). 

Testimony of Wayne Carlson
Senate Bill 2179
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
January 26, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services.  I am here today in support of SB 2179 which provides $159,000 funding to mitigate crop damage for blackbirds.  In addition I would like to pledge our department’s cooperation in being the financial agent for these funds.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1515
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
January 25, 2007

Chairman Porter and members of the House Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here to offer testimony in favor of HB 1515, which would provide for a special demonstration project and incentives for biomass production in North Dakota. 

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2288
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 25, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here today to offer testimony in favor of SB 2288, which provides a variety of tools – funding and incentives – to help grow the renewable energy sectors in North Dakota.  I also support the amendments o this bill offered by Senator Heitkamp.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
House Bill 1421
Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 25, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in support of the intent of HB1208.  The Bill would amend section 36-21.1-01, relating to the inhumane treatment of animals.   The bill lists certain activities which are exempted from being considered ‘cruel’ or ‘torture’.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1420
Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 25, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. I am here today in support of the intended purpose of HB 1420 which is to provide livestock producers with consistent science based environmental zoning regulations within the state.

Testimony of Jim Gray
Pesticide Registration Coordinator
Senate Bill 2323
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 25, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Jim Gray, Pesticide Registration Coordinator with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today to testify regarding SB 2323, a bill that addresses the risks of pesticides to threatened and endangered species.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2180
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
8:30 am
January 25, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here this morning to offer testimony in support of SB 2180, which expands the current biodiesel PACE program.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1506
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
10:30 am
January 25, 2007

Chairman Porter and members of the House Natural Resources Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I’m here this morning to offer testimony in favor of HB 1506, which establishes a voluntary renewable and recycled energy objective in North Dakota, and to support the amendments offered by Representative Monson relating to Sections 1 and 7 of the bill.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2197
Senate Education Committee
Missouri River Room
January 23, 2007

Chairman Freborg and members of the Senate Education Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of Senate Bill 2197 which will create a North Dakota elementary student entrepreneurship program under the authority of the state board for career and technical education.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2114
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
January 23, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of SB 2114, which will allow the Board to set the fees to be charged for brucellosis tags, identification tags, and health certificate books based upon actual production and shipping costs.  This bill also allows the Board to deposit these fees in the Department of Agriculture’s operating fund and apply them to the costs of the tags and books.

Testimony of Dr. Andrea Grondahl
State Meat Inspection Director
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
January 19, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Dr. Andrea Grondahl , Director of the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (Department).  I am here today in support of SCR 4007 which urges congress to provide adequate funding to state meat and poultry inspection programs and to enact legislation that allows state-inspected product to be shipped interstate.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1181
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 19, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in opposition of HB 1181, which reduces the level of the credit-sale contract indemnity fund.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Concurrent Resolution 3005
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 18, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 3005, urging Congress to pass an agricultural disaster relief package.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
House Bill 1208
Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 18, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in support of the overall intent of HB 1208, which increases the penalty provision under 36-21.1-11, associated with inhumane treatment of animals.   The bill also lists certain activities which are exempted from being considered ‘cruel’ or ‘torture’.

Testimony of
Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson
Senate Bill 2139
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 18, 2006
9:00 AM

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee.   I am here to testify in support of SB2139, which would provide a comprehensive review of North Dakota state law related to agriculture.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
 State Veterinarian
House Bill 1220
Judiciary Committee
Prairie Room
January 17, 2007

Chairman DeKrey and members of the Judiciary Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in support of HB 1220, which addresses the penalty provision under
36-21.1-11, associated with inhumane treatment of animals.

Testimony of
Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson
SB2015 and SB2189
Senate Appropriations Committee
January 15, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Agriculture
Commissioner Roger Johnson. I am here today in support of SB2015 and SB2189 which provide raises to state employees of four percent and four percent for the coming biennium and establish a market equity pool for additional salary adjustments.

Testimony of David Nelson
State Entomologist
Senate Bill 2107
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 12, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am David Nelson, manager of the phytosanitary certification program in the Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of SB 2107, which will allow for a portion of phytosanitary certification fees charged to exporters to be deposited in the department operating fund.  The amount would be equivalent to the amount the United States department of agriculture assesses the department.

Testimony of Wayne R. Carlson
Livestock Service Program Manager
Senate Bill 2105
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
January 12, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services  for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of SB 2105 which changes the state’s dairy laws.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
House Bill 1003
House Appropriations Committee – Education & Environmental Division
Sakakawea Room
January 12, 2007

Chairman Wald and members of the Education and Environmental Division of Appropriations Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of the portion of HB 1003 pertaining to the base funding and enhanced funding for the Professional Student Exchange Program.  As you are aware, this program assists North Dakota students enrolled in professional programs not offered in the state of North Dakota, including optometry, dentistry, and of greatest importance to agriculture, veterinary medicine.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2114
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
January 12, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of SB 2114, which will allow the Board to set the fees to be charged for brucellosis tags, identification tags, and health certificate books based upon actual production and shipping costs.  This bill also allows the Board to deposit these fees in the Department of Agriculture’s operating fund and apply them to the costs of the tags and books.

Testimony of Dr. Andrea Grondahl
State Meat Inspection Director
Senate Bill 2106
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
January 11, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Dr. Andrea Grondahl , Director of the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  If the rules would allow for me to withdraw this bill, I would be doing so today. Since they do not, I am here today to ask you for a do not pass on SB 2106 which changes the state’s environmental health practitioners law.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Livestock Loan Guarantee Program Report
Joint Senate & House Agriculture Committees
Brynhild Haugland Room
January 11, 2007

Chairmen Flakoll, Johnson, and members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today to report on the livestock loan guarantee program as required in Section 4 of Chapter 57 of the 2005 Session Laws of North Dakota.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2104
Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 10, 2007

Chairman Klein and members of the Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of SB 2104, which will expand the eligible uses of the livestock loan guarantee program. 

Testimony of Jeff Weispfenning
Deputy Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2023
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
January 5, 2007

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Jeff Weispfenning.  I am here today in support of SB 2023, which provides a deficiency appropriation for the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (SMPIP).

Testimony of Judy Carlson
Program Coordinator
House Bill 1085
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 4, 2007

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Judy Carlson, a Program Coordinator at the department of agriculture.  I am here today in support of HB 1085, which removes the sunset of the agricultural pesticide and pesticide container program, Project Safe Send.

Testimony of Gerald Thompson
Pesticide Coordinator
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Senate Bill 2095
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 4, 2007

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Gerald Thompson, Pesticide Coordinator for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. I am here in support of Senate Bill 2095 which will amend and further define the definition of Commercial Applicator, Public Applicator and add a definition for “Ready-to-Use pesticide” to the North Dakota Century Code Chapter 4-35.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2059
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Fort Lincoln Room
January 4, 2007

Chairman Lyson and members of the Natural Resources Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of SB 2059, which will eliminate the fee for permits to propagate, domesticate, or possess protected wildlife.