Week 7 of Legislative Session was the busiest one yet! On Tuesday was Crossover Day, which is when the House must send all of its bills over to the Senate. We had 22 house bills to get through on this final day. I was impressed with the efficiency and hard work of my fellow representatives, and we adjourned at 6pm. This means that we are only working on Senate bills going forward and finalizing the budget. I anticipate in my committees that we will work through all of our remaining Senate bills early next week.
I currently have 3 bills going through the Legislative process. HB1222, HB1249, SB80.
HB1222: An Act to expand the authorized carrying, possession, and storage of a concealed pistol. The situation this bill addresses is one that many South Dakotans are inadvertently doing. For example, currently, if a parent with a concealed carry permit, drives on to school grounds to pick up their child that action is illegal. This bill is NOT about carrying inside of school buildings. This bill is simply about having a pistol in your vehicle on school grounds for conceal carry permit holders. This bill passed 64 to 5 out of the House. It will be heard in Senate State Affairs next.
HB1249: An Act to protect landowners from the use of deception, fraud, harassment, intimidation, misrepresentation, or threat, in acquiring easements or easement options. A straightforward bill motivated by numerous South Dakotan’s stories of negative experiences with carbon oxide facilities seeking easements. Currently, there is NO statute that specifically addresses this issue nor one that provides the clarity and just compensation option for an aggrieved landowner. The intended purpose of this bill is to deter bad behavior with some real consequences laid out on the front end and to promote better communication when acquiring easements. South Dakotans should not be mistreated in business dealings. This passed out of the House 36-34. It will be heard in Senate State Affairs.
SB80: An Act to revise provisions regarding students and trainees engaged in the practice of funeral service. This bill addresses the issue of allowing mortuary students to finish their degrees in the state of SD. Without this fix, mortuary students would be forced to move out of state to finish their degrees. It’s my hope to give them the opportunity to finish their schooling in SD and hopefully stay in the state. This bill has passed through the Senate and House Judiciary unanimously. It will now be heard on the House floor for final consideration.
HB1228: Require an environment impact statement from applicants seeking a CO2 facility permit from the PUC. This would have required an environmental impact study. I thought it was a great bill so we as citizens can have access to all of the information. In addition, to understanding what water, power, and other resources these large projects will require. South Dakota citizens should be able to know on the front end what all a project entails, good or bad. Unfortunately, due to an unintended drafting error in the bill, it required a 2/3 vote instead of simple majority. So, it failed on the House floor 37-32.
HB1200: Permit merit pay as a component of teacher compensation. A teacher may receive merit pay in the amount established by the board. This bill’s goal was to award good teachers for their service and hopefully keep them in the industry. This passed out of the House 61-8.
HB1114: Make an appropriation for the purchasing of equipment for technical education. This bill was amended to $100, so there is some flexibility with the budget. The final number will be decided on at a later date through the appropriations committee. I was happy to support this bill and technical education. This passed 47 to 22.
HB1242: Limit the amount of money a candidate may receive from a federal office candidate to $10,000. This would limit the amount of out-of-state dollars coming into SD for elections and keep our state candidates on a more level playing field in terms of campaign funds. This commonsense bill narrowly passed off the floor 36-34. It will now head over to the Senate.
HB1186: provides for the revision and eventual repeal of the employer’s investment in SD’s future fee. This would have provided a step down over 6 years of the amount SD employer’s have to contribute to this fund. I voted in favor of this bill. I do not understand when it became the government’s job to be involved in business. I believe in a limited government, fiscal responsibility, and keeping the money in the hands of the people. I trust the people of SD to invest in good business. Unfortunately, there has been some failures from the future fund investment. One example is TruShrimp a company that was supposed to come to Madison, SD. They were given $5 million and never even turned a shovel. This bill failed 32-36. However, it is clear to me that this topic needs to be addressed.
SB208: Amend provision pertaining to a school district’s proposed opt out, capital outlay certificate. The mechanism for opt out votes is already there, so this it not a new concept. I believe the taxpayers should be informed and have a voice, if a school is needing to spend above and beyond the max budget for the year. This bill failed 31-39. However, there was an intent to reconsider, so it will be heard on the House floor again.
SB219: Require the acceptance of a cash payment for admission to a school-affiliated event. This bill was only for admission to a school affiliated event and for amounts less than $200. This is a fair compromise for our South Dakotans who are unbanked and only use cash. Plus, this is our national currency. This passed 36-34.
SB8: Establish criminal offenses for boat operators. I appreciated the intent of this bill and it is necessary. However, I was concerned with a new class 6 felony. Especially considering that 12 year olds can operate boats. To me this felt too extreme and I was worried about unintended consequences. This did pass 52-18 and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.
SB83: An Act to revise the penalty and provide treatment for the ingestion of certain controlled substances. This bill came to the floor with no recommendation. There was a vote to calendar to be able to have the debate with the entire body, which passed 49-21. This bill changed the first and second offense for drug ingestion from felonies to misdemeanors. I voted yes on SB83. I believe that if people’s only offense was drug ingestion that we should provide treatment and counseling instead of a felony. This was a long debate on the House floor and it ultimately passed 3733.
The final two weeks will be eventful as bills finish their journey through both chambers and to the Governor’s desk. On a different note, I am so thankful to be a part of the 100th Legislative Session. This has been the the most unique experience that I have ever had in my life. I would encourage everyone, no matter your age, to get involved in politics and be engaged in your government in some capacity.
As always feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. My email is Kaley. nolz@sdlegislature.gov