SDWF Camo Coalition 2025 Legislative Watch List

SDWF Camo Coalition 2025 Legislative Watch List

Find your Legislator – https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Find

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

Guide Bill not released from LRC yet.

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 monitor and likely 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 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

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 SPL briefing to the Senate Ag and NR.  This dam is above Aberdeen and a possible safety issue seems to be brewing.  Good discussion from senators about the need, cost and AIS were discussed.

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

01/28/2025
Scheduled for hearing
N/A

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 board discussion and GFP input, this advisory board will welcome our three recruited NGO’s and any other interested advisory groups.  This addition is just another advisory group and certainly welcome.  VP Vandel and I spoke with LOOA 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

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

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

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.

01/21/2025
Referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 63

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

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

Dana Rogers
Executive Director, SDWF

Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee

Chair:

Pischke, Tom

Vice-Chair:

Jensen, Kevin

Room: Room 423

Days: TTh

Time: 9:00 AM

Senators:

Davis, Sydney (R); 

Duhamel, Helene (R); 

Jensen, Kevin (R); 

Marty, Sam (R); 

Pischke, Tom (R); 

Rohl, Michael (R); 

Voight, Curt (R)

Staff:

Larsen, Hillary