The North Dakota Legislature is looking at ways to strengthen the rules to protect farmers from losing money when selling grain. State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says increased oversight and accountability is needed. This comes after nearly 100 farmers lost up to $6 million when checks bounced written by a roving grain buyer, Hunter Hanson. Goehring says as a result, he’ll be testifying this week on the need for increased farmer protections.

He says just raising the bonding requirement isn’t the answer. Goehring says the state may need to make sure cash grain sales are settled faster than 30 or 45 days.

Goehring says putting more money into indemnity funds gives farmers a false sense of security and won’t solve the problem either.

One bill being considered would shift the bonding responsibility from the Public Service Commission to the Ag Department.