This bill amends and reenacts sections 4.1-19-03 and 4.1-19-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, focusing on the management of eggs and poultry in the state. It outlines the duties of the agriculture commissioner, which include promoting improved poultry breeding practices, cooperating with health boards to control poultry diseases, and enhancing the welfare and marketing of the poultry industry. Notably, the bill removes the previous requirement for the agriculture commissioner to provide federal-state grading services for poultry and poultry products at the retail level, streamlining the responsibilities of the office.

Additionally, the bill modifies the penalties for violations of the chapter. It replaces the previous classification of violations as a class A misdemeanor with a civil penalty system, allowing for fines up to one thousand dollars for each violation. The agriculture commissioner is granted the authority to adjudicate these civil penalties through administrative hearings or maintain civil actions against violators. The bill also repeals section 4.1-19-04, which previously outlined licensing requirements for buyers, sellers, and producers of eggs and poultry.

Statutes affected:
PREFILED: 4.1-19-03, 4.1-19-05, 4.1-19-04
Enrollment: 4.1-19-03, 4.1-19-05, 4.1-19-04
INTRODUCED: 4.1-19-03, 4.1-19-05, 4.1-19-04