Local Authority Enforce Violation of Noxious Weed Act

Current law allows the commissioner of agriculture to assess civil penalties for violations of state laws related to the prevention of noxious weeds (violations). The act:

• Clarifies that a board of county commissioners (board) may allow for the assessment and collection of fines for violations of local laws enacted to enforce the management of noxious weeds in the county;
• Creates a civil infraction for violations;
• Creates a civil penalty for violations that is no less than $500 and no more than $1,000;
• Allows a county attorney to petition the district court for an injunction to prevent an ongoing violation; and
• Allows a board to appoint a district attorney to enforce violations in the event that the county does not have a county attorney or in any other circumstance that the board deems appropriate.

APPROVED by Governor March 12, 2024

EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)