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HB 1023 – An Act to modify the definition of a conviction for purposes of license revocation. 2025 House Bill 1023 | South Dakota Legislature
SDWF position is that we will support this revocation cleanup.
VP Vandel and I both testified in support. License revocations are an important deterrent to trespassing and poaching violations. It seems it’s rarely used enough. Testimony was that ‘approximately’ 50 violators got out of penalties through this type of “loophole” the past decade.
01/22/2025 House Judiciary Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 4.
01/23/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 38, NAYS 31.
02/03/2025 Referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 153
02/25/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/25/2025 Senate Judiciary Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3.
HB 1026 – An Act to make an appropriation for the replacement of the Richmond Lake dam and spillway, for the general maintenance and repair of other state-owned dams, and to declare an emergency. 2025 House Bill 1026 | South Dakota Legislature
SDWF position is that we will monitor and likely support
VP Vandel and I listened to this discussion today via the School and Public Lands briefing to the Senate Ag and Natural Resources committee. This dam is above Aberdeen and a possible safety issue seems to be brewing. Good discussion from senators about the need, cost and Aquatic Invasive Species were discussed.
01/28/2025 Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations, Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 2.
02/21/2025 Joint Committee on Appropriations Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 17, NAYS 0.
02/24/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 70, NAYS 0.
02/25/2025 First Reading Senate S.J. 370
02/26/2025 Committee referral waived pursuant to JR 6D-1 S.J. 395
02/27/2025 Senate Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 32, NAYS 2. S.J. 408
HB 1107 – prohibit natural asset companies.
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25974/277468
SDWF will monitor
02/03/2025 House Commerce and Energy Motion to amend, Passed Amendment 1107C
02/03/2025 House Commerce and Energy Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5.
02/05/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Failed, YEAS 28, NAYS 39.
HB 1108 – create the McCook Lake contingency fund and to transfer moneys to the fund.
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25987/277565
SDWF position is that we will monitor
01/28/2025 Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources
02/11/2025 Scheduled for hearing 14:15
02/11/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Motion to amend, Passed Amendment
02/11/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Referred as Amended to House Committee on Appropriations, Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 1.
02/24/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/24/2025 House Committee on Appropriations Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 2.
HB 1188 – allow nonresident military members to purchase three-day temporary nonresident waterfowl licenses. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25999/279223
SDWF position is that we will oppose any increase in NR permits
01/30/2025 First Reading House H.J. 149
02/03/2025 Referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 171
02/10/2025 Scheduled for hearing 1:28:58
02/10/2025 House Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 1.
02/12/2025 House of Representatives Deferred to another day, Passed H.J. 271 N/A
02/13/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 3. H.J. 290
02/18/2025 First read in Senate and referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources
02/27/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/27/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Failed, YEAS 3, NAYS 3.
02/27/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Report out of committee without recommendation, Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 2.
HB 1236 – expand the safety zone within which hunting and trapping are restricted. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26242/280746
SDWF position is that we will oppose. I received this from GFP today. “In the last 5 years, GFP issued 97 citations for shooting within an unposted safety zone. They issued 21 citations for shooting within a posted 660’ zone. On average, GFP respond to approximately 80 calls/complaints relating to safety zone concern per year” This bill will hit the Senate floor soon. This is the LAST chance to kill it or it will be signed into law.
02/05/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources
02/18/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 2.
02/19/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 51, NAYS 19. H.J. 331
Audio Testimony: https://sdpb.sd.gov/sdpbpodcast/2025/hag22.mp3#t=144
Another one to listen to and note proponents.
02/20/2025 First read in Senate and referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources
02/25/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/25/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3.
Audio Testimony: https://sdpb.sd.gov/sdpbpodcast/2025/sag27.mp3#t=1252
02/26/2025 Senate Motion to amend, Passed S.J. 396 Amendment 1236B
02/26/2025 Senate Do Pass Amended, Failed, YEAS 5, NAYS 29. S.J. 396
SB 8 – An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor. 2025 Senate Bill 8 | South Dakota Legislature
SDWF position is that we will monitor and likely support
02/04/2025 Senate Judiciary Motion to amend, Passed Amendment 8A
02/04/2025 Senate Judiciary Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0.
02/06/2025 Senate Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. S.J. 197
02/07/2025 First Reading House H.J. 226 N/A
02/10/2025 Referred to House Judiciary H.J. 240
02/26/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/26/2025 House Judiciary Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.
02/27/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 52, NAYS 18. H.J. 427
SB 15 – An Act to expand the policy advisory committee for animal damage control. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25809
SDWF worked for and gained volunteers from Sportsman’s groups/NGOs to balance the representation. GFP is welcoming to interested additions.
After SDWF board discussion and GFP input, this advisory board will welcome any interested applicable groups. VP Vandel and I spoke with Landowner and Outfitter Alliance lobbyists and also testified in the affirmative to welcome them and ask for approval.
01/23/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0.
01/23/2025 Certified uncontested, placed on consent
01/27/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources
02/27/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/27/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.
02/27/2025 Certified uncontested, placed on consent
SB 41– An Act to clarify the minimum age requirements for a hunting license. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25584
VP Vandel and I both testified in support of this bill. Removing the need for a signed note from a parent and allowing the mentee to have the license sent to them in their name is a good move to enable their ability to get in the field in our view.
01/30/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.
01/30/2025 Certified uncontested, placed on consent
02/03/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 68, NAYS 0. H.J. 172
02/04/2025 Signed by the President S.J. 168
02/05/2025 Signed by the Speaker
02/06/2025 Delivered to the Governor on Thursday, February 06, 2025 S.J. 192
02/11/2025 Signed by the Governor on Monday, February 10, 2025 S.J. 224
SB 46 – An Act to specify the funds into which certain boat fees are deposited. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25620
SDWF will monitor. In Speaking with other conservation groups and GFP, everyone is on same page and GFP does not anticipate any issues here.
01/24/2025 Senate Transportation Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0.
01/24/2025 Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations, Passed
02/11/2025 Senate Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 1. S.J. 237
02/12/2025 First read in House and referred to House Transportation H.J. 269
02/25/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/25/2025 House Transportation Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 1.
02/26/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 67, NAYS 2. H.J. 414
02/27/2025 Signed by the President S.J. 411
SB 78 – An Act to authorize a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25917/275576
SDWF position is that we will monitor and STAY Neutral.
01/28/2025 Hearing SB 78 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Room 423 10:00 AM
01/28/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0.
01/29/2025 Senate Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. S.J. 129
02/03/2025 Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 172
02/27/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/27/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.
02/27/2025 Certified uncontested, placed on consent
SB 79 – An Act to permit the operation of a Class I electric bicycle on the Mickelson Trail. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25700/275756
SDWF position is to monitor and STAY Neutral
01/28/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 1.
01/29/2025 Senate Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 2. S.J. 129
01/30/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources
02/25/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 1.
02/26/2025 House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 5. H.J. 411
02/27/2025 Signed by the President S.J. 411
SB 144 – require legislative approval for significant capital expenditures by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25898/279078
SDWF Will Monitor and likely oppose
02/20/2025 Senate Committee on Appropriations Motion to amend, Passed Amendment
02/20/2025 Senate Committee on Appropriations Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 0.
02/24/2025 Senate Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. S.J. 358
Amendment: https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/282517.pdf
02/25/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources
SB 153 – An Act to require that expenditures from the department of game, fish and parks fund be budgeted through the general appropriation bill. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25691/279125
SDWF Will Monitor and likely oppose
02/03/2025 Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations S.J. 152
02/20/2025 Senate Committee on Appropriations Tabled, Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0.
Please share and encourage your affiliate members to engage with their legislators and committee members if they feel strongly.
Dana Rogers
Executive Director, SDWF
House Ag and Natural Resources Committee
Chair:
Vice-Chair:
Room: Room 414
Days: TTh
Time: 6:45 AM
Representatives:
Staff: Nixon, Lance
Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee
Chair:
Vice-Chair:
Room: Room 423
Days: TTh
Time: 9:00 AM
Senators:
Staff: