SB 2039 North Dakota Senate · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 57-02-01 and subdivision a of subsection 15 of section 57-02-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of agricultural property and the farm structure and improvements property tax exemption; and to provide an effective date.

SB 2039 amends two sections of North Dakota's property tax code (57-02-01 and 57-02-08) to update the legal definitions of "agricultural property" and the rules for exempting farm structures and improvements from property taxes. These changes directly affect farmers and rural landowners who rely on tax exemptions for agricultural operations. The bill clarifies which properties qualify for the exemption by revising the specific language in the tax code, ensuring consistent application of the existing exemption policy. The changes take effect on a date specified in the bill (though the abstract does not name the exact date).
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Signed Apr 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

INTRODUCED Enrollment · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill expands the definition of agricultural property and modifies farm structure tax exemptions in North Dakota. It clarifies when platted land qualifies as agricultural property, adds specific conditions for excluding certain platted lands from agricultural classification, and updates exemptions for farm buildings and improvements. The changes aim to provide clearer guidance on property tax assessments for agricultural operations.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly addresses both platted and unplatted lands, adding specific criteria for when platted land loses agricultural property status. It also expands the scope to include amendments to section 57-02-08 regarding farm structure and improvements tax exemptions.
DEFINITION

Added detailed criteria for when platted land (platted on or after March 30, 1981) is no longer considered agricultural property, requiring four of seven specific conditions to be met.

Clarified that 'raising agricultural crops' includes storage of harvested crops by farmers or their direct relatives until delivery to the first end-point user.

Added specific provisions for greenhouses and buildings used for nursery operations, clarifying their treatment under agricultural property definitions.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated farm structure tax exemptions to explicitly exclude industrial plants, non-farm structures, and retail/wholesale business structures, with specific exceptions for storage on pre-1981 platted agricultural land.

REQUIREMENT

Added language requiring that farm building exemptions only apply to structures used as part of a farm plant or farm residence, excluding industrial or non-farm uses.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 23, 2025 · House Mar 28, 2025

How they voted

3314
Passed
Total votes 47
Jan 23, 2025
D Democratic5
2 Yea 3 Nay
60% Nay
R Republican42
31 Yea 11 Nay
73% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/08
legislature
Apr 8, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor 04/07
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 38 nays 9
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 84 nays 7
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 2 1
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Hearing 09:00
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation Committee
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 33 nays 14
upper
Jan 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 4 2 0
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Hearing 09:00
upper
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation Committee
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.