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Bills are all entered in the Legislative process
By Jason | February 4, 2010
“Discussion”, “questions”, and “final action on legislation” are the buzz words in our South Dakota Legislature. Our committee hearings are regularly dispensing with about four bills during each meeting and I feel fairness has been exercised. All legislation must be entered into our system and now the general public, lobbyists, and State employees hone in on important issues for their cause.
Our House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee recently dealt with three bills that change the State statute for a commission and check-off councils. The Weed and Pest Commission legislation removed the voting membership of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Dean of the Agriculture and Biological Sciences College at South Dakota State University. These two departments do not have a large amount of ownership if any of agriculture land, so it is fitting to move them to an advisory capacity.
The Corn Utilization Council brought us Legislation to reduce the number of board members who decide how to spend the producer contributed check-off dollars. I voted against this bill in committee because I am concerned about reducing the number of corn producers who decide how to spend the funds we contribute when we sell our corn. When this bill came to the House Floor I did support it, because I understand they want to increase the quality of those who serve, but I still have some reservations about producer participation. Lastly a bill was presented to us from the Oilseed Commission that reduces the number of board members, increase the check-off fee, as well as removes the referendum language. I did not support this bill in committee because I think having access to a referendum procedure is important. However, in the current form the process for oilseed producers to put the check-off to a referendum vote is somewhat confusing.
I am proud to be moving various pieces of legislation. I had my first hearing on a bill of this session; and it was also my first House Bill to be passed out of Committee and head to the House Floor. House Bill 1190 which revises the Opportunity Scholarship requirements to include Career and Technical Education in the elective category along with world languages. This bill also includes a change that allows a postsecondary student to maintain their scholarship if they complete 30 credits a year, instead of 15 credits for each semester. The reason for this change is that a student may enroll in 16 credits for a semester in college or technical school, but then decides to drop a class of two or three credits and therefore be ineligible for the scholarship anymore. HB 1190 received unanimous support from the House Education committee. I ask anyone interested to please contact members of the Legislature to voice support for HB 1190.
I continue to work with pilots of crop dusters, the Public Utilities Commission, and wind energy developers to remedy and concerns with House Bill 1155. This bill will require owners of anemometer wind metering towers to register the location; in an effort to inform pilots who may be flying low to the ground. HB 1155 will have a hearing in House Commerce on Wednesday, February 10th.
House Bill 1060 has certainly sparked interest in District 1 and our counties of Day, Marshall and Roberts. This bill is sponsored by the Department of Revenue in an effort to adjust the tier system for tax breaks for large industry projects. The adjustment proposed would retain more of the taxes with the State and return less to the companies who may construct wind towers, transmission lines, power plants, and pipelines. I have proposed an alternative to HB 1060. My bill, HB 1246 would repeal the tax break for strictly oil pipelines. I feel it is fair that the State retain the taxes paid by oil pipeline companies. HB 1246 will first have a hearing in House Taxation on a day to be determined within the next few weeks. I welcome your thoughts on this issue as well as any Legislative Issues.
House Bill 1274 is another piece of legislation that I am working on that will remove the three mile buffer of beekeeping operations (apiaries). Landowner rights is a prime reason for support of this bill because if a beekeeper would place hives on private property; any neighbors within 3 miles would most likely be prohibited from allowing other commercial beekeepers to place hives on their property. Disease was an issue when this language was inserted into State statute. Today proper control methods are available to control diseases and mites. Lastly, most beekeepers have their bees pollinating trees in the southern and western United States; obviously co-mingled and not maintaining the three-mile buffer.
In the House Local government committee we will hear discussion and take final action on House Bill 1198 which would allow municipalities the option to impose an extra penny of sales tax for a limited time and limited use. I am opposed to this bill, because I think the State should maintain priority on sales tax. Municipalities have options to raise revenue, but I do understand extra sales tax revenue would be simple for the cities. Again please share your thoughts on this bill.
I enjoy serving as your Representative in the State House of Representatives and please schedule some time to visit us in Pierre during the Legislative session.
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