Legislative Daily Update: Day 15 of 37
HB 1254, 1256, 1257, and SB 162 were introduced today.
HB = House Bill SB = Senate Bill
SDWF comments on the Bill
Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill
Link to actual Bill
House Bills:
HB 1059 revise certain provisions regarding hunting with drones. SDWF supports, brings the use of drones into alignment with federal laws. We would like to see the time period when drones cannot be used for hunting predators extended to cover all open big game seasons, but it is not in the bill. House Ag 2/06 7:45 AM., Rm 414, http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1059&Session=2020
HB 1071 revise provisions regarding surface water quality complaints. SDWF supports. This bill makes it easier to prosecute flagrant violations of water quality laws. No Hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1071&Session=2020
HB 1095 revise requirements regarding hunting mentors SDWF supports; it allows any qualified adult to be a mentor, resident or not. Mentored youth must still be residents. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1095&Session=2020
HB 1111 revise provisions regarding the qualifications to serve on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission. SDWF monitoring, if passed it would require each Commission candidate to show proof of criteria to serve as a Commissioner. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1111&Session=2020
HB 1121 establish immunity from liability for the inherent risks of camping. SDWF is monitoring bill. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1121&Session=2020
HB 1181 revise certain provisions regarding bounties for coyotes. SDWF is monitoring. The bill allows counties to significantly raise the bounty on coyotes. However, at this point, no GF&P dollars are used, nor are counties using the system now in place. No hearing Scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1181&Session=2020
HB 1184 provide limited deer and antelope licenses to landowners. SDWF opposes this bill. While we sympathize with nonresident landowners, this bill gives guaranteed any deer tags and free doe tags to nonresident landowners and their families. This bill could potentially remove thousands of deer and antelope tags from the pool of licensees now currently available, including those that go to resident landowners. We feel if this passes, the current system of landowner preference for residents must be changed, but there is no political will to do so. Therefore, average sportsmen and women can expect a reduction in deer hunting tags and opportunities. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1184&Session=2020
HB 1200 establish dates for the mowing of ditches on the state trunk highway system. SDWF is monitoring. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1200&Session=2020
HB 1236 revise provisions regarding the management of the animal damage control program. SDWF is monitoring, No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1236&Session=2020
HB 1238 permit modification of the term of a perpetual conservation easement after the death of the grantor. SDWF strongly opposes this anti-conservation bill. It will effectively eliminate perpetual conservation easements and the tax benefits to landowners who sell the easements out of a need for income and/or a desire to preserve some land for future generations. This is an anti-property rights bill as well as an anti-conservationist bill. No hearing scheduled. http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1238&Session=2020
HB 1254 require a habitat stamp for certain hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and jet skiing activities. SDWF is monitoring While it rightfully helps share the financial burden of providing habitat and access, it adds only a small subsection of the people who use our waters. For example, larger boats and pontoons not used for hunting or fishing are excluded. Only smaller watercraft, some of which require no licensing at all, are included regardless of how they are used. This bill needs more work. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1254&Session=2020
HB 1256 fund shooting sports programs in public schools and to enhance outdoor recreational activities in the state SDWF is monitoring and supports the bill at this time. The net effect is to spread the cost of habitat and access to lands and waters to all who benefit, including businesses. The bill also establishes a shooting sports program in every public school district. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1256&Session=2020
HB 1257 revise certain provisions regarding hunting, fishing, or trapping on private property without permission. SDWF is monitoring. It mandates a higher than normal penalty for one specific Class Two misdemeanor, while leaving the penalty the same for hundreds of others. This bill takes away all judicial discretion based on the facts of each case. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=1257&Session=2020
SB 75 provide for a habitat stamp on hunting and fishing licenses. SDWF supports, and has been working on the language of this bill with the sponsor and support the bill in its current form. Hearing; Passed Senate to House http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=75&Session=2020
Senate Bills:
SB 79 modify provisions regarding the building of fences across certain unimproved highways SDWF is strongly opposed. The proposed change in current law appears to be an attempt by an organization of landowners and outfitters to prevent the hunting of small game and waterfowl on roads which by definition are currently considered to be improved. The change will not necessarily stop public travel, but will serve to close off hundreds of miles of section line roads to the hunting of small game and waterfowl. The change would also encourage the destruction of grassland habitat and prevent what is currently lawful hunting and trapping of nest predators and coyotes. Finally, simply having a gate (many with a “no trespassing sign) serves to intimidate the average person from traveling the road, even if it is lawful to do so, and assuming they are able to open the gate. Hearing 2-12-20, 745am Senate Local Gov., RM 412 Action alert sent earlier http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=79&Session=2020
SB 124 to revise provisions regarding group pheasant hunts for disabled veterans. SDWF will monitor Senate military affairs, 2-10-20 4 pm Rm 413 http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=124&Session=2020
SB 150 an act to revise nonresident waterfowl licensure. SDWF strongly opposes. The bill has the potential to double the hunting pressure in South Dakota, making it a lose-lose proposition for the vast majority of waterfowl hunters, resident and nonresident alike, who are not using guide services or pay-to-play operations. In addition, the bill removes the GF&P commission’s requirement to determine that adequate waterfowl hunting public access has been provided through the department’s land acquisition and development fund or through other means. Finally, the bill removes a funding mechanism (dollars taken from the sale of nonresident licenses) to partially fund the access program. This bill was written by outfitters for outfitters, with no regard to the long term consequences of the privatization and commercialization of wildlife. No Hearing scheduled. http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?File=SB150P.html&Session=2020&Version=Introduced&Bill=150
SB 162 provide limitations on the use of lighting equipment while hunting. SDWF supports this bill. Many of the exceedingly dangerous and/or unethical practices allowed in recent years have been removed, while still allowing reasonable predator control. No hearing scheduled http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?Bill=162&Session=2020
Finalizations:
How to contact your Legislator:
Go to http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/ContactLegislator.aspx?Session=2020 this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.
If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:
http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Who_Are_My_Legislators/default.aspx?CurrentSession=True
Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk
Senate 773-3821
House 773-3851
Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.
Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators.
Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!