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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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Contact Legislators – https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Contacts/70

After much wrangling…

HB 1215 – An Act to provide rulemaking authority for the licensure of fishing guides, hunting guides, and outfitters, and to provide a penalty.

https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26040/280197

SDWF will obviously actively support as we moved this issue forward after much concern over commercialization.  Now we await first reading and committee assignment.


HB 1023 – An Act to modify the definition of a conviction for purposes of license revocation2025 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
18:52

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

02/03/2025                 Referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 153


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 1107 – prohibit natural asset companies.

https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25974/277468

SDWF will monitor

01/28/2025
Referred to House Commerce and Energy H.J. 134

02/03/2025                       House Commerce and Energy        Room 464            10:00 AM

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.


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

01/28/2025
Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 134


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 monitor and most likely oppose

01/30/2025      First Reading House H.J. 149

02/03/2025      Referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 171


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

02/04/2025                          Senate Judiciary         Room 413         8:00 AM


SB 15 – An Act to expand the policy advisory committee for animal damage controlhttps://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 licensehttps://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.

01/23/2025
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

01/30/2025
Scheduled for hearing

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


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      Senate Transportation Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0.

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

02/10/2025      Scheduled for hearing


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

01/30/2025      First Reading House H.J. 149

02/03/2025      Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 172


SB 79 – An Act to permit the operation of a Class I electric bicycle on the Mickelson Trailhttps://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.

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


SB 114 – restrict warrantless searches of a taxidermy business.  https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25649/278202

SDWF will monitor

01/29/2025     First Reading Senate S.J. 127

01/30/2025     Referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 142


SB 144 – require legislative approval for significant capital expenditures by the Department of Game, Fish and Parkshttps://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25898/279078

SDWF Will Monitor

01/30/2025     First Reading Senate S.J. 137

02/03/2025     Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations S.J. 152


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

01/30/2025      First Reading Senate S.J. 137

02/03/2025      Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations S.J. 152

Please share and encourage your affiliate members to engage with their legislators and committee members if they feel strongly.

Dana Rogers
Executive Director, SDWF