General

HB 1139, to repeal provisions regarding maximum taxes levied by a school district for capital outlay, was killed by the House. The Senate State Affairs Committee killed a bill that would have taken authority from state party conventions to choose Lt. Governor candidates. Proponents wanted gubernatorial candidates to have sole authority to select the Lt. Governor. The bill to remove presumptive probation for lower level felony offenses and thereby increase annual prison expenses by $4 million and create a need for a $14 million women’s prison facility died in the Senate last week. And, last week the State Senate approved a bill to permit legislators with South Dakota enhanced permits for carrying concealed pistols to be armed in the state capitol building.

Stockgrowers’ Legislative Issues

Gas Well Cleanup

Senator Maher’s bill to appropriate $1 million from the regulated substance response fund for the purpose of gas well cleanup in Harding County was heard today in Joint Appropriations. The bill failed 5-12 but Senator Maher is committed to pursuing this issue going forward. Senator Maher gave strong testimony in support of the bill and asked tough questions of administration officials who tried to defend inaction on this issue. Ray Gilbert also gave strong testimony laying out the problems he has experienced over many years. Billy Clanton, Dave Niemi, and Tyler Hett weighed in by email sharing their own situations. For the Stockgrowers I pointed out that this was the consequence of low bond requirements and that, if we as a state are going to allow low bond requirements for gas exploration, then we as a state have an obligation to step up when low bond requirements result in insufficient compensation for landowners impacted by gas exploration.

Fake Meat

SB 68, the meat labeling bill, was passed unanimously by the Senate last week. It has been assigned to the House Agriculture committee. No hearing has yet been scheduled.

Agland Valuation

SB 4, to perform a pre-implementation simulation of updated agland assessment standards which has passed the Senate was referred to the House Agriculture Committee. No hearing has yet been scheduled.

Other Stockgrower Issues

The bill to legalize industrial hemp passed the House last week 65-2. The Governor is pulling out all stops to kill this but, proponents are equally committed on the issue.

Report Timing

I apologize for the tardy report this week. We’re striving to stick to a Friday schedule. If you have any questions or comments about this week’s report or about activities in Pierre, please feel free to contact me at murphy@rushmore.com

Best regards,

Jeremiah

Legislation of Interest

Following are the bills that have been introduced that may impact Stockgrowers. You can read the bill text and actions by clicking on the blue bill number. Bill status is noted in the status column. DP = “Do Pass” DNP = “Do Not Pass” “41st day” means a bill has been killed.

2/5 signed by Gov. HB 1030 allow the Office of School and Public Lands to accept internet bidding for the leasing of state mineral rights.

2/6 signed by Gov. HB 1031 authorize certain wind and solar easements and leases by the commissioner of School and Public Lands.

2/12 DP Senate HB 1054 revise certain provisions regarding the possession of firearms on certain vehicles.

2/19 signed by Gov. HB 1075 revise certain provisions regarding the authority of conservation district governing boards.

2/19 tabled H. Ag. HB 1089 revise provisions regarding electronic livestock auctions.

HB 1100 revise certain programs regarding landowner rights.

HB 1101 revise certain programs regarding the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

2/26 hearing HB 1103 establish a lemon law for certain farm machinery.

2/21 DNP Judiciary HB 1117 establish immunity from liability for injuries to or the death of a person engaged in off-road vehicle activity under certain circumstances.

2/12 tabled HB 1125 create a property tax relief fund and to provide for the transfer of certain unobligated cash balances.

2/20 DNP House HB 1139 repeal provisions regarding maximum taxes levied by a school district for capital outlay.

2/7 DNP HB 1145 establish certain provisions regarding the mowing of rights-of-way adjacent to the state trunk highway system.

2/22 DP Senate HB 1159 repeal a provision that prohibits hunting mourning doves on public roads and highways.

1/28 withdrawn HB 1161 revise certain provisions regarding the issuance of temporary permits for the use of public water.

1/31 tabled HB 1162 provide for the expiration of certain statutory authority regarding the promulgation of rules by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

2/5 DNP H. Ag. HB 1182 require a balanced and representative membership on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

2/22 DNP S. Taxation HB 1188 revise provisions regarding fertilizer inspection fees.

2/11 DP House HB 1191 legalize the growth, production, and processing of industrial hemp and derivative products in the state.

2/20 DP State Affairs HB 1251 distribute funds to the special racing revolving fund and the South Dakota-bred racing fund from the tourism promotion fund and simulcast wagering.

2/21 DP House HJR 1003 Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election a new section to Article XII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the creation and administration of a trust fund using the net receipts from unclaimed property.

2/11 DP Senate SB 4 revise certain provisions regarding the classification of agricultural land for property tax purposes.

2/25 DP House SB 18 update certain references to federal laws and regulations regarding pipeline safety inspections and to increase the maximum civil penalty for certain pipeline safety violations.

1/29 tabled SB 33 authorize the commissioner of school and public lands to sell and acquire certain real property.

2/12 DP H. Ag. SB 40 authorize the transfer of certain real property to the Animal Industry Board.

2/12 DP H. Ag. SB 43 redirect funding to a collaborative program in rural veterinary medical education and to provide tax revenue for the support of veterinary students.

2/14 DP H. Ag. SB 63 increase the penalty for a subsequent conviction for trespass to hunt, fish, or trap.

2/20 DP Sen. SB 68 define certain acts as misbranding of food products.

2/12 DP Senate SB 93 revise certain provisions regarding instruction and restricted driving permits.

2/25 DNP Joint Approps. SB 102 make an appropriation for gas well cleanup in Harding County.

2/11 DNP Senate SB 103 provide for an annual transfer of certain unobligated state general funds into the local bridge improvement grant fund.

2/14 DNP Approps SB 105 distribute a portion of tourism promotion funds to the special racing revolving fund and the South Dakota-bred racing fund.

2/12 DNP Senate SB 112 provide for the assessment of certain agricultural land as noncropland.

2/25 hearing SB 128 make an appropriation to the gaming commission fund, to provide for the transfer of funds to the special racing revolving fund and the South Dakota-bred racing fund, and to declare an emergency.

2/14 DP Senate SB 149 increase the amount authorized for certain brand fees and to authorize a brand registration application fee and an expedited registration fee.

2/20 DP Sen. Approps SB 179 revise the property tax levies for the general fund of school districts and to revise the state aid to education formula.

2/21 DNP Senate Ag. SB 183 revise certain provisions regarding buffer strips.