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SDWF Camo Coalition 2025 Legislative Watch List

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SDWF Camo Coalition 2025 Legislative Watch List

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Awaiting the Outfitter and Guide License requirement Bill. The LRC just isn’t making it easy and giving us what we are looking for. SDWF provided Rep DeGroot further information and Rep DeGroot kicked the bill back to the LRC for a 3rd time to try and get it right. It will be coming out and being dropped Wednesday or Thursday. Then it will be GO time to make all your calls and e-mails. Hopefully, if you feel strongly enough you’ll testify remotely or even in person.

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.
49:53

01/23/2025
House of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 38, NAYS 31. H.J. 107
18:52

01/24/2025
First Reading Senate S.J. 90

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.

01/23/2025
Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 105
N/A

01/28/2025
Scheduled for hearing Room 414 01/28/2025 7:45 AM
N/A

01/28/2025 Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations, Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 2.

HB 1084 – provide free state park and recreation area admission to current and former members of the South Dakota National Guard and their spouses and dependents. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25564/276446

SDWF position is that we will monitor.

Bill sponsor Mulally pulled the bill after speaking with GFP

01/28/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Tabled, Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.

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

01/27/2025
First Reading House H.J. 120

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

01/14/2025
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 11
N/A

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. I reached out to SD Bowhunters, SD Antelope Foundation, SD Chapter of the BHA and SD RMEF and they are interested in being involved going forward. This addition is just another advisory group and certainly welcome. 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.
1:01:45

01/23/2025
Certified uncontested, placed on consent

01/27/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources

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 today. 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.

01/23/2025
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0.
1:15:10

01/23/2025
Certified uncontested, placed on consent

01/27/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources

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
Scheduled for hearing

01/24/2025 Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations, Passed

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.

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

01/22/2025
Referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 72

01/28/2025 Hearing SB 79 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Room 423 10:00 AM

01/28/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 1.