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Weekly Legislative Update: Moving Legislation
By Jason | February 18, 2010
Representative Jason Frerichs
District 1
Day, Marshall and Roberts Counties
Success in Pierre
House Bill 1190 which will allow Career and Technical Education coursework to be fincluded in the Opportunity Scholarship achieved success in the State Senate. This bill has benefited from overwhelming support in both Chambers of our State Capitol Building. HB 1190 is my first House Bill that I have prime-sponsored that has received favorable support in both the House and Senate.
We have a citizens’ legislature that is evidenced by the part-time legislators where we have “real jobs” outside of serving South Dakota. However, the more important aspect of our citizens’ legislature is that folks from all across South Dakota have access to the decision-making process. These past few weeks I would guess that I have interacted with close to 100 people who made an effort to come to Pierre and make their opinion be heard. That is great and helps all of us Legislators remember why we serve in our capacity and who we represent. Witnessing our legislative process in action continues to amaze the rank and file South Dakotan.
I had House Bill 1247 up for discussion in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. This bill would remove the three-mile buffer zone for beekeeping operations. We had great testimony from beekeepers and landowners who want to remove this artificial barrier. Beekeepers brought the idea to change this law for my consideration and I am sure glad we were able to focus on the issue and spark interest in looking at possible changes to the status quo. Currently, it is very difficult for a new operator of an apiary (beekeeping operation) to get started in South Dakota, especially Northeastern South Dakota. HB 1247 failed in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, but the issue is certainly not resolved. I challenge the South Dakota Department of Agriculture to work with beekeepers and landowners to find a solution to the problem that exists of getting new/young operators started.
House Bill 1198 was dealt with in the House Local Government Committee. We had a very worthwhile discussion on whether or not to allow municipalities the option to increase their local sales tax by one penny. This bill failed with ten votes and I agreed with the prevailing vote. I understand this bill would have been permissive and only allowed municipalities the option to vote on raising their local sales tax revenue. However, I think we should do our best to keep sales tax for any State needs, even though cities already can utilize two-pennies of sales tax. I also believe the cities can still utilize their option to locally opt out of the property tax freeze and raise revenue through that source if it is desperately needed. Many out of town folks would end up paying this extra penny of sales tax and yet would have zero input on how the dollars are utilized and/or refunded.
I make every effort to balance the needs of sportsmen; Game, Fish and Parks; and landowners. I think dealing with the increased fines on big game trophy animals is a prime example of all parties benefitting. The bill has been amended to include language that any additional fine money from the increased trophy poaching fines will go to the local school district where the arrest was made. I feel this is fair and makes sense that the school district would receive the funds instead of the Wildlife Fund. Many other fines such as overweight on an axle vehicle fines also currently go to the school district.
We just started discussion on the raw milk bill in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Some dairy producers who are providing raw milk for sale want to continue to have access to consumers and to be able to sell their product without control by the State Department of Agriculture. Most of these operations are small in size and mainly provide an avenue for some people to receive raw milk. Obviously, the safety of the consumers should always be the main reason for requiring additional government regulation. This issue will most likely not be resolved immediately and will require dairy producers of any size and consumers to voice their opinion.
Let’s all hope that spring will arrive soon. We know that an undo burden will be placed on our township roads with the abundance of water. All of us should take advantage of every opportunity to tell our story about the water issues in Northeast South Dakota. I continue to enjoy serving you and certainly invite you to come visit us in Pierre.
You can leave a message for me at the House Chamber by calling 773-3851. My email address is rep.frerichs@state.sd.us. Check out my website for updates at www.jasonfrerichs.com; live updates can be reached at www.twitter.com/jasonfrerichs.
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