HB 1241: Unnecessary Petition Shenanigans
by Robin Bagley In a year where South Dakotans will vote on a record number of ballot issues, Rep. Jim Bolin (R-District 16) has introduced a bill that will make sure rural voters get an even deal with...
View ArticleHB 1140: Taking Last Year’s HB 1201 and Making It Worse
by Catherine Carter (Note: This is part three in a series on HB 1140. Part one is here, and part two is here.) HB 1140 is up for a hearing in House Local Government Thursday, February 11, at 10am CT....
View ArticleDakota Rural Voices Episode 5: HB 1008
HB 1008 and Transgender Rights: Perspective of a School Board Member: Dakota Rural Voices hosts Randy Grimsley, Brookings School Board member and Brookings native, to talk about HB 1008, the...
View ArticleThe Demise of SB 113, the Good Biking Bill:
by Tony Helland This past Wednesday the Senate Transportation Committee killed the second of two bicycling bills this session. The committee deferred SB 113 to the nonexistent 41st legislative day,...
View ArticleHB 1140: Another Perspective
by Bill Powers There has been much discussion of HB 1140. The general opinion is that its intention is to limit the ability to appeal county commissioner decisions, especially with regard to zoning...
View ArticleDakota Rural Voices: Charlie Johnson and the Future of Farming
What IS the future of farming in South Dakota – and how does HB 1140 put it at risk? Join us this week as we talk with Charlie Johnson, a large-scale organic farmer here in South Dakota. The future of...
View ArticleWeekend Special: Negativity and the SD Legislature
by Carl Kline Has South Dakota ever had a legislative session with such a negative attitude, sometimes about insignificant issues? Some of the old timers in the state will know better than I. I’ve only...
View ArticleCountry of Origin Labeling – An Attempt at Local Labeling
This morning, Representative Paula Hawks and Senator Jason Frerichs brought legislation that would have established a local labeling program for beef. You can read the language of the legislation here:...
View ArticleDakota Rural Voices Episode 7: The Legal Case Against HB 1140
We’ve talked about why HB 1140 is bad for farmers and agriculture. But what about the bill itself, and what if it makes it into law? Kelsea Sutton, an attorney in South Dakota, breaks it down for us....
View ArticleEminent Domain Reforms Inch Forward
by Robin EH. Bagley One of the bright spots in this year’s legislative session have been the positive changes to the state’s eminent domain laws. Both HB 1134 and HB 1153 were collaboratively worked on...
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