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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 actively supporting as we moved this issue forward after much concern over commercialization. Outfitters and guides mounted a strong push to kill this as they want no fees or regulations of any kind.
02/04/2025 First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources 02/18/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/18/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 2.
Listen to the Audio: https://sdpb.sd.gov/sdpbpodcast/2025/hag22.mp3#t=4067
Take special note of the Opposition testimony.
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.
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.
01/28/2025 Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations, Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 2.
02/21/2025 Scheduled for hearing
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
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 1108A
02/11/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Referred as Amended to House Committee on Appropriations, Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 1.
02/21/2025 Scheduled for hearing
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
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”
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.
HB 1262 – An Act to terminate bounty payments for nest predators, transfer moneys to the general fund, and declare an emergency.
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26187/280890
Bill has been amended to remove the $500,000 to the General Fund.
https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/281035.pdf
SDWF position is that we will support
02/05/2025 First Reading House
02/06/2025 Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 213
02/18/2025 Scheduled for hearing
02/18/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Motion to amend, Passed Amendment 1262A
02/18/2025 House Agriculture and Natural Resources Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5.
Audio Testimony: https://sdpb.sd.gov/sdpbpodcast/2025/hag22.mp3#t=1635
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 Room 413 8:00 AM
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
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
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
02/10/2025 Scheduled for hearing
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
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 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
SB 114 – restrict warrantless searches of a taxidermy business. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25649/278202
SDWF will monitor and likely oppose
01/29/2025 First Reading Senate S.J. 127
01/30/2025 Referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 142
02/11/2025 Scheduled for hearing Room 423 02/11/2025 10:00 AM
02/11/2025 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 1.
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
01/30/2025 First Reading Senate S.J. 137
02/03/2025 Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations S.J. 152
02/20/2025 Scheduled for hearing
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
01/30/2025 First Reading Senate S.J. 137
02/03/2025 Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations S.J. 152
02/20/2025 Scheduled for hearing
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: