Interesting news out of Aberdeen today. Apparently, according to Hub City Radio,  aside from taking all the credit for passage of House Bill 1052. a measure he didn’t send his PAC lackey to testify on, or did.. literally anything.. Toby “dumpster fire” Doeden has plans for the next election.

And that includes removing anyone he considers moderate from office:

Governor Larry Rhoden signed HB1052 into law to ban eminent domain to be used for carbon oxide projects.  One of the big proponents of the bill was Dakota First Action founded by Dakota First Action created by Aberdeen’s Toby Doeden.

What’s the next step for the PAC?…

Continue to replace moderate legislators with conservative of America first legislators.

Read the entire puff piece here.

Not that I agree with HB 1052 (at all), but at what point did dipstick Doeden or his PAC do anything? I saw a johnny-come-lately text message blast at one point that no one paid attention to.  But, at what point was he in Pierre actually doing any lobbying on the measure? Or anything?

I’m guessing that’s what counts for ‘leadership’ nowadays.  The kind of leadership he wants to bring to the legislature by replacing those he considers moderate with more California Carleys and Carl Perrys.

Just what South Dakota needs.

Rounds Leads Legislation to Ban Foreign Adversaries from Buying American Farmland and Agricultural Businesses 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today reintroduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, legislation to ban individuals and entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing agricultural land and businesses located near U.S. military installations or sensitive sites.

“Our near-peer adversaries such as China are looking for any possible opportunity to surveil our nation’s capabilities and resources,” said Rounds. “One example occurred in 2021 when the Fufeng Group purchased 300 acres of land in North Dakota, located near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. We can’t risk this happening again. The PASS Act would prevent entities of foreign adversaries from purchasing agricultural land and businesses near our military bases and sensitive sites. I am hopeful that with President Trump’s recent National Security Presidential Memorandum on this issue, we can finally get it across the finish line.”

“Nevada is home to many sensitive sites that are critical to our national security,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It is common sense that we should not allow our foreign adversaries to buy agricultural land next to these locations. This bipartisan bill will keep Nevadans safe and protect American national security.”

The PASS Act is cosponsored by Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

“Foreign ownership of American farmland can pose major threats to our national security, especially when that land is close to sensitive military sites,” said Thune. “This legislation would help safeguard our national defense, food supply, and rural economies and ensure farmland across South Dakota and our nation is protected from our foreign adversaries.”

“Foreign adversaries are buying up U.S. farmland which is a threat not only to our food security, but our national security,” said Hoeven. “Our legislation will prevent these bad actors from purchasing farmland and agricultural businesses near our strategic assets to better protect our nation from those with malign intentions.”

“Wyoming’s agricultural land should feed Americans, not provide surveillance platforms for our adversaries,” said Lummis. “This legislation prevents the Chinese Communist Party and other hostile nations from purchasing land near military installations across our state. It’s a straightforward solution to a serious threat.”

This legislation is endorsed by the South Dakota Soybean Association, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, the South Dakota Dairy Producers and R-CALF USA.

“The South Dakota Soybean Association supports Senator Rounds’ legislation governing foreign ownership of agricultural land and business that protects U.S. farmers, consumers, national security and economic interests,” said Kevin Deinert, President of the South Dakota Soybean Association. “We recognize that national security is a federal responsibility and that this legislation will help to eliminate a patchwork of state interests.”

“The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) strongly supports a federal response on issues with national security implications,” said Taylor Sumption, President of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association. “We greatly appreciate Senator Rounds’ efforts on foreign ownership of agland based upon his unique perspective sitting on both the U.S. Senate Committees on Armed Services as well as Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. It is important that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s role be elevated and enhanced and this legislation is a step in the right direction to utilize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s unique knowledge about the needs of production agriculture and rural America.”

“South Dakota Dairy Producers (SDDP) recognizes the view that food security is national security and applauds Senator Rounds work to ensure specific foreign adversaries will not be able to purchase farm land near critical sites and thereby gain any competitive advantages surrounding United States agricultural resources,” said Marv Post, Board Chairman of the South Dakota Dairy Producers. “SDDP also supports the Secretary of Agriculture being included in the oversight of foreign ag-related transactions as a common sense approach to ensure United States agriculture is represented in these decisions.”

“We greatly appreciate Senator Rounds’ bill that reaffirms that neither national security nor food sovereignty can exist without the other,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA. “We must protect both our food production capacity and our sites sensitive to national security from known foreign adversaries. This bill does both.”

In February 2025, President Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) which specifically calls for new rules that prevent China from “buying up America.” The PASS Act would codify parts of that NSPM.

Specifically, the PASS Act would:

·         Ban purchases of agricultural land by individuals/entities controlled by North Korea, China, Russia and Iran near military installations and sensitive sites.

·         Make the Secretary of Agriculture a voting member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for all covered transactions involving the purchase of agricultural land, biotechnology, and any other transaction related to the agriculture industry in the United States.

·         Give the U.S. Department of Agriculture the ability to refer cases to CFIUS for review if there is reason to believe an agriculture land transaction may raise a national security concern.

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on preventing foreign adversaries, namely China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, from owning land in America. Rounds first introduced the PASS Act to the Senate in August 2022 during the 117th Congress, with Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) leading companion legislation in the House.

In February 2023, Rounds reintroduced the PASS Act in the 118th Congress. The Senate Armed Services passed an amendment offered by Rounds as part of their committee version of the National Defense Authorization Act which would have banned China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing farmland or agriculture businesses.

In October 2023, Rounds introduced the Protect Our Bases Act. This legislation would have made certain the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States can review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence and national laboratory sites by requiring member agencies to annually update and review their lists of these sites.

Click HERE to read full bill text.

###

Gov. Rhoden Signs “Baby Gabriel” Bill and Five Other Bills

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed HB 1044, which authorizes the use of a newborn safety device for the voluntary surrender of a newborn. This legislation creates a new option for mothers to surrender infants under South Dakota’s “Safe Harbor” law. You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden signing HB 1044 here.

“House Bill 1044 will save lives. These baby boxes have saved lives in other states,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

Under HB 1044, an emergency services provider or a licensed child placement agency may install and maintain a newborn safety device on its premises, if the premises are staffed 24/7, and if the device meets certain safety standards.

“Baby Gabriel” was a full-term baby found abandoned and deceased at a recycling center in Sioux Falls last August. “Hopefully with these baby boxes, there will be fewer ‘Baby Gabriels’ and more babies in loving homes,” continued Governor Rhoden.

Governor Rhoden also signed the following five bills into law:

• SB 93 prohibits payment or rebate of insurance deductibles by contractors providing motor vehicle repair services;
• SB 111 permits a court to order family therapy or reunification therapy in a custody or visitation dispute;
• HB 1099 modifies the community paramedic endorsement;
• HB 1144 adopts the dietitian licensure compact; and
• HB 1189 extends by two years the date on which moneys appropriated to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in 2021 for marketing, route restoration, business development, and air service marketing will revert to the general fund.

Governor Rhoden has signed 64 bills into law this legislative session.

###

Independent Candidate Justin McNeal who just had his lawsuit against the state declared moot because the election is over had the kooks over at Government Watch SD announce that he’s supposedly going to appeal the state supreme court’s decision to the Supreme Court.

They do bring up a point that’s worth pondering. The South Dakota Republican Party had previously filed as an intervenor in the case to preserve their ability to call for a review of the problems with the McNeal petitions (which got booted due to insufficiency), should the court try to put the independent candidate  on the ballot.

SDGOP MCNEAL Intervenor by Pat Powers

Challenging petitions of non-Republicans, or going to court to support their candidates has long been a function of the Republican Party (similarly, Dems do it for their candidates.).   

The question that the Gov’t Watch people asked is whether the SDGOP is going to “remove the SD GOP involvement from this case.” And yes, I’d like to know that as well.

It’s a basic question as to whether the party is going to support their Republican candidates, or are they not going to support Republican candidates. Because if they support Republicans like they’re supposed to, they will continue as an intervenor in the case. 

It should speak volumes if the new SDGOP administration does not support their candidates. And if they won’t support their candidates, why would anyone give them a plug nickel?

Gov. Rhoden Signs Bill to Protect Property Rights

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed HB 1052, which protects the property rights of South Dakota landowners by prohibiting eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon oxide. Governor Rhoden outlined his reasons for signing the bill in a letter to the legislature and people of South Dakota. You can find the letter here.

“HB 1052 does not kill the proposed project. Rather than viewing this legislation as an obstacle to the proposed project,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden. “I encourage Summit and others to view it as an opportunity for a needed reset Voluntary easements for this proposed project will still be able to move forward… In fact, without the threat of eminent domain, the opportunity might finally be available for trust to be rebuilt and for more productive conversations to occur between Summit and South Dakota landowners.”

“I am no stranger to discussions about eminent domain and property rights. I’ve fought for private property rights in this Capitol for over 20 years,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden. “We are keeping South Dakota Open for Opportunity, and HB 1052 will not change that. The ethanol industry will remain a crucial part of our state’s economy and a key asset as we implement an all-of-the-above energy approach to restore American energy dominance.”

Governor Rhoden has signed 58 bills into law this legislative session.

###

HB 1239, Bethany Soye’s draconian measure to subject librarians to a year in jail for minors checking out material she finds objectionable (because it’s apparently too hard for parents to be parents) was up today in Senate Judiciary committee today as their last item on their agenda for regular committee meetings.

Proponents predictably tried to claim that they aren’t going to lock up librarians, despite removing exemptions for criminal penalties which WOULD allow librarians to be jailed for up to a year in the county jail on a class one misdemeanor for prurient words in books. They cited that it’s all for the kids, etcetera and so on. Oh.. and apparently we found out that neurons put on a show in the brains of children brains, and reading will lead to dangerous behaviors.  (not kidding).

What else? Florence Thompson parroted the same thing she testifies in every committee, and said that it’s time to stop the woke agenda, and Rep. Lauren Nelson who pushes stripping funds from public schools says it’s time to put teeth into the law, despite the promise from other proponents who claim won’t be used to put Librarians in jail.

Opponents to the bill included a woman who actually parents her kids, and says it’s her job to determine what’s appropriate for her kids.

Trial Lawyers opposed it on the basis of not wanting South Dakota to become a book banning state, as well as the facts that passing the bill would also remove historical material, that it’s censorship, and is an attack on librarians.

The Library director at the Custer County Library said ultimately, parents should be the ones who decides what’s appropriate for children, and puts librarians at risk.  Another librarian noted that if you think we have a shortage of library resources now, just pass this bill. And other librarians noted how its an attack on jobs and the profession, and will lead to shortages in professional staff.

Criminal Defense lawyers said the librarian lock up bill will chill free speech, as it targets schools & librarians, and will affect a wide variety of literature, such as Shakespeare.

A professor from DSU noted that it’ isn’t just librarians if affects, and this effort just leans into a trend of book banning. And, it’s going to hurt the teaching profession as well. And reminded us that parents are the caretakers of children (not teachers or librarians). And that this may limit events at museums.  The Lobbyist for the Sioux Falls Sioux Falls School District noted that proponents talked about obscene teaching material – and had to ask, where is it?

A plethora or associations, groups, and professional groups all stood up and objected to the measure to lock up librarians, teachers, museum workers to jail time.

Book-banning Bethany attempted to rebut opponents claiming that no one has ever been arrested for a book being checked out.  But, fact checking her, it looks like they’ve come pretty darned close:

Amy was busy at her job in the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, when the officer strode through her open doorway to investigate a sordid accusation: Someone had called the police department and reported that she had been giving pornography to children, a criminal offense in Missouri.

She looked at the uniformed man in disbelief. She was the mother of a toddler and a long-time public servant. The scene of the alleged offense was not an adult bookstore or the dark web. It was a high school library. The officer explained the situation. A parent had told the police that she was circulating pornography to students through the books in the school’s library collection. The policeman, a school resource officer employed by both the Wentzville School District and the O’Fallon Police Department, came to the library to investigate the claim. He came back again six months later, prompted by similar complaints from another parent at the school. The visit did not lead to any disciplinary action against Amy. But it left her deeply unsettled. 

and..

“What we have with SB 775 is politicians saying, ‘We are going to determine what books should sit on your library shelves and be available to your students. And if you go against what we said there are criminal implications,’” Bober said.

Read the entire story here.

and here…

In body-camera footage obtained by journalist Judd Legum of Popular Information, a member of the far-right parent activist group Moms for Liberty is shown standing in the lobby of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and demanding a police probe into a local school allegedly retaining a young adult novel with risqué passages. Jennifer Tapley tells officers that a school librarian kept the contested literature on the shelves at Jay High School despite complaints about its content.

Accompanied by an older man who brought the 512-page book in a large manila envelope, Tapley tells officers that a third-degree felony is being committed.

Read that here.

After committee discussion, the measure was moved to the 41st day by Senator Duhamel o n the basis that it’s the PARENT’S job to decide what’s appropriate (yay! Helene gets it!). And commented that libraries don’t have the staff to take n the role of parents. Blanc offered a substitute motion to Do Pass, because he says taxpayer institutions should not be exempt from arresting employees… And then the audio cut out! AAARRGH… 

Audio came back…...Grove talked about the need for the bill to deter bad behavior. Sen. Mehlhaff said he was against the bill before he has in favor of it.    Se. Blanc said it’s a pro-kid bill, not an anti-librarian bill (despite librarians the one being threatened with a year in jail).

Sen. Wheeler pointed out that all this bill is about is threatening prosecution because someone didn’t get a bill removed from the shelves after they lost on the appeal process.

Ultimately, the lock-up the librarians bill ended up going to the floor with a Do Pass recommendation on a committee vote of 5-2.

So, with the measure hitting the house floor next week, THIS WEEKEND make sure you contact your legislators to urge them to reject this bill, and make sure they aren’t sending their local librarians and teachers to the hoosegow.

Thune Joins Martha MacCallum on Fox News

 “And I think that the Democrats, they’re clinging to this sort of ideological view that they have, and it’s completely out of step with the American people, and frankly, it’s completely out of step with what is just basic common sense.”

Click here or on the picture to watch the video.

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Martha MacCallum on Fox News. 

On the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act:

 “I said this the other day: I’ve never seen a quicker abandonment of something that Democrats used to say they supported than their undermining of Title IX. And to me, it’s mind-blowing to think that something that is an 80 percent issue with the American people – and frankly, just a matter of common sense. I mean, having boys playing girls’ sports is not safe, it’s not fair. There is no level playing field then when it comes to women in sports, and it’s just flat wrong. And I think that the Democrats, they’re clinging to this sort of ideological view that they have, and it’s completely out of step with the American people, and frankly, it’s completely out of step with what is just basic common sense.”

 On tariffs:

 “What I’ve said is, and [President Trump] talked about reciprocal tariffs, and that we ought to be treated fairly, and I don’t disagree with that. I do know, as somebody who represents an agricultural state, how dependent we are upon export markets, and so I think as we think through these things, you’ve got to think through the implications and the impacts that ultimately tariffs are going to have on certain sectors of the economy. And, you know, you take a state like South Dakota, a huge amount of our exporting is to Canada or Mexico, and a huge amount of our importing is from Canada and Mexico. And so obviously we’re going to pay attention to that, and we want to ensure, as they go about this, they do it the right way.

 “In my view, and I’ve said this before, I think this is a specific purpose he’s trying to accomplish. He’s trying to stop the flow of fentanyl into this country, and to get our two neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico, more engaged in helping stop it. And then, for that reason, I hope this is a temporary thing.”

 On DOGE:

 “[A]t the end of the day, what DOGE is doing is long overdue – I’ve said this before. We need this kind of a scrub of the federal government, and it does need to be updated, [and it] does need to be modernized. It needs to be made more efficient, and it needs to cost less. And I think that’s what the American people are demanding. That’s what this is designed to do.”

###

Kristin Conzet Joins Western Dakota Regional Water System as Executive Director

Rapid City, S.D. — Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Conzet as its new Executive Director. A former South Dakota State Representative, Conzet brings extensive experience in governmental relations, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and project management.

Conzet played a key role in securing funding for major infrastructure projects and fostering collaboration among state, local, and federal entities. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing WDRWS’s mission to ensure reliable, long-term water security for western South Dakota.

WDRWS extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Cheryl Chapman, P.E., for her dedication and leadership as the first Executive Director of WDRWS. Chapman’s commitment and advocacy have been critical in driving the project forward, and she will continue to be a valued champion for the system’s success.

“I am honored to step into this role and build upon the incredible work already accomplished,” said Conzet. “Water security is a vital issue for our region, and I look forward to working with stakeholders to further this project.”

***

Gov. Rhoden Signs Six Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed the following six bills into law:

• SB 65 provides for the sale of certain real estate located in Pennington County and provides for the deposit of the proceeds;
• SB 71 revises provisions pertaining to the compulsory age for school attendance;
• SB 109 permits a school district to implement a new or revised section 504 plan, individualized family service plan, or individualized education program for a student who is the child of an active-duty member of the United States armed forces;
• HB 1057 transfers moneys from the South Dakota-bred racing fund to the special racing revolving fund;
• HB 1063 revises the provisions for preparing a fiscal note for ballot questions; and
• HB 1173 eliminates the cap on assessment amounts for road improvements.

Governor Rhoden has signed 57 bills into law this legislative session.

###

I was thrilled to have Meade Co. Sheriff Pat West join me before the President’s address. I’m grateful for my guests last night, Sheriff West and Clay Co. Sheriff Andy Howe. I will continue to back policies that will help them do their job. https://t.co/IVmjT3kUg2

— Dusty Johnson (@DustyJohnson) March 5, 2025