Category: Uncategorized

Black Hills Forest Resource Association Endorses Rounds-led Legislation to Increase Timber Sales in the Black Hills National Forest

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that the Black Hills Forest Resource Association has endorsed his Timber Harvesting Restoration Act, legislation that would require the United States Forest Service (USFS) to improve timber sales numbers in the Black Hills National Forest. The Black Hills Forest Resource Association is an organization made up of local businesses, manufacturers and foresters dedicated to improving forest management in the Black Hills National Forest.

“We appreciate this legislation from Senator Rounds which would help the US Forest Service succeed and the communities depending on that success,” said Ben Wudtke, Executive Director of the Black Hills Forest Resource Association. “The US Forest Service has recognized a tremendous need for treating an additional 20 million acres through their Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Recognizing the need is the first step. This legislation is a logical next step that would help better position individual national forests for accomplishing those goals through development of tailored plans where needed.”

“A well-managed forest is a healthy forest,” said Rounds. “The reduction in timber production in the Black Hills not only harms our businesses, but our forest as well. I’m grateful for the support of the Black Hills Forest Resource Association and look forward to working with them to restore our timber production in the Black Hills.”

Click HERE for more information on the Timber Harvesting Restoration Act.

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Gov. Noem Supports Landowner Bill of Rights 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced her support for a Landowner Bill of Rights:

“I stand with South Dakota landowners and always will,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I am looking forward to signing a Landowner Bill of Rights that will provide new protections for landowners and allow for economic growth to move forward through a transparent process.”

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Governor Noem Signs Historic Bill to Combat Antisemitism into Law 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed HB 1076, which requires the consideration of the definition of antisemitism when investigating unfair or discriminatory practices, into law.

“Ever since the horrific terrorist attacks on the State of Israel on October 7th, 2023, we have seen a shocking spike in antisemitic acts of hatred around the world, including some isolated incidents right here in South Dakota,” said Governor Noem. “I am very proud to sign this historic bill to keep our Jewish people secure. I hope more states will follow our leadership.”

This bill defines antisemitism and makes it easier to prove when discriminatory conduct is motivated by antisemitism. This important and impactful legislation will ensure the safety of Jewish people and strengthen South Dakota’s anti-discrimination laws.

Governor Noem was joined by Elan Carr, the CEO of the Israeli-American Council for Action, nationally renowned Jewish leader Dan Rosen, Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfeder, the Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota, Renie Schreiber, on behalf of Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Jordan Cope from Stand With Us, the prime sponsors of the bill Representative Fred Deutsch and Senator Jim Mehlhaff, and many other prominent Jewish leaders.

“This is an important moment at an urgent time,” said Elan S. Carr, CEO of the Israeli-American Council and former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. “By adopting into law and implementing the global standard for defining antisemitism, South Dakota is making a powerful statement that the evil of Jew-hatred has no place in our state or our country. We are deeply grateful to Gov. Noem and to the state legislature, especially to Rep. Deutsch and Sen. Mehlhaff, for showing principled leadership and for embodying the best of American values. Given the horrors of 10/7 and the appalling rise of anti-Jewish violence and discrimination since, this could not have come at a more important time.”

“Since October 7^th, antisemitism has skyrocketed across this country by roughly 400%. And part of the problem is you cannot fight something you cannot define,” said Mark Goldfeder, Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center. “By adopting this bill and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, South Dakota has sent a clear message that there is no place for hate in this state.”

“If a Jewish child in South Dakota is going to be more safe and more protected, it’s going to be because we did here today,” said Rabbi Mendel.

A photo of Governor Noem signing this historic legislation can be found here. You can view the full bill signing ceremony here.

Governor Noem has signed 137 bills into law this legislative session.

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South Dakota Democrats found someone to take one for the team today, and presented a Sheryl Johnson who announced her run for Congress:

We’ll see if she able to make the ballot.

From Facebook:

Filed late last week, and now up on the Secretary of State’s website is the Statement of Organization committee filing for Jim Halverson, who is running for the open House seat in District 21.

If you aren’t familiar with Jim, us old-timers recognize him as the son of State Senate icon Harold Halverson who served 26 years in the South Dakota State Legislature. And far younger Republicans might also know him as the father of Hayley Halverson, who has been an officer with the College Republicans, and is now traveling around the state working for the Dusty Johnson campaign.

Jim had previously made a run for the State Senate back in 1990, when Doris Miner was a long-time Democrat State Senator, and it was a tough, tough district for Republicans.   I’m sure an official announcement will be forthcoming, but it’s great to see such a good guy willing to step up and run.

Also noteworthy is that former legislator and Secretary of Ag Kim Vanneman is serving as treasurer for his campaign committee.

This sets up a very competitive primary with three candidates, Halverson, Rep. Marty Overweg and Lee Qualm, all competing for the two House seats.

If you’d like to donate to Jim’s  campaign, you can send your donation to:

Jim Halverson for House
PO Box 334
Winner, SD 57580

Stay tuned!

 

Attorney General Jackley Announces Peacemaker Found Not Guilty in Watertown Murder Trial

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that Jeremiah Peacemaker of Watertown has been found not guilty of First Degree Murder in the August, 2020 death of Kendra Owen of Watertown.

A Codington County jury returned the verdict late Tuesday night after testimony from dozens of witnesses, law enforcement officers, and forensic experts.

“We respect the decision of the jury,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Thank you to the law enforcement officers who investigated this case, and the jury for their work.  We recognized the challenges of no murder weapon, no eyewitnesses, or confession but felt other evidence, including a fingerprint and blood, needed to go to the jury and was deserving of their 10 hours of deliberations.”

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Watertown Police Department investigated the case. Attorney General Jackley and Chief Deputy Attorney General Brent Kempema prosecuted the case.

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SD Ag Alliance Urges Support For Landowner Bill of Rights (SB 201, HB 1185 and 1186)

(Pierre, SD) At the beginning of the Legislative Session, Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree and House Majority Leader Will Mortenson announced a legislative package that included extensive protections for landowners, additional compensation for landowners and counties, and more regulatory certainty for carbon capture pipelines. The legislative package has been amended by both the House and Senate and is now in conference committee to work out differences.

“Our goal was to give landowners more leverage, more protection, and more compensation in this carbon pipeline debate. Legislative leaders accomplished that with this agreement,” said Rob Skjonsberg, founding member. “Now, we can give Summit the certainty they need and a proper introduction to how we conduct business in South Dakota.”

The South Dakota Ag Alliance supports the current compromise language because it is a major victory for landowners in South Dakota,” said founding member Jason Glodt. “The current proposal will provide over $16 million to landowners and counties every year.”

The amended legislative package now includes the following protections and compensation for landowners and counties:

1. Compensation for Landowners: Requires carbon capture pipelines to pay landowners $500 to access their land for surveying (HB 1185) and at least .50 cents per linear foot of pipeline through their property in the form of property tax relief (SB 201)
2. Compensation for Counties: Allows counties to collect $1.00 per linear foot of pipeline that runs through their county. At least 50% of the surcharge must be used for property tax relief for landowners on the route. The remaining revenue can be spent by counties at their discretion. (SB 201)
3. Indemnity for Landowners: Requires pipeline companies to indemnify landowners for liability. (SB 201)
4. Minimum Burial Depth: Requires pipeline to be buried at least 4 ft deep, exceeding federal regulations of 3 ft (SB 201)
5. Disclosure of Dispersion Models: Requires carbon pipeline companies to make dispersion modeling public. (SB 201)
6. Lifetime Drain Tile Repairs: Requires pipeline companies to repair any damage to drain tile (SB 201)
7. Impact Mitigation: Requires pipeline companies to file an impact mitigation plan. (SB 201)
8. Leak Liability: Makes carbon pipeline companies liable to the landowner for any damage caused by leaks.  (SB 201)
9. Land Surveyors Must be from SD: Requires land surveyors be South Dakota residents. (SB 201)
10. Easements Terminate if Not Used in 5 years: Easements for pipelines terminate if pipeline does not receive PUC permit in 5 years and terminates after 5 years of non-use. (HB 1186)
11. Bans Perpetual Easements: Limits easements to a maximum of 99 years (SB 201)
12. Information Disclosure: Requires carbon pipeline companies to report linear footage of pipes in counties and disclose if they claim a tax credit. (SB 201) Landowner will also receive results of survey and examination and contact information for person in charge of inspection. (HB 1185)
13. Mortgage Limitations: Protects landowners by restricting mortgages held by an easement holder so the mortgage only attaches to the easement holders rights and not to the land or obligate the property owner. (HB 1186)
14. Easements Must Be Written: Requires companies to put easements in writing. (HB 1186)
15. Survey and Access Limits:  Landowners reserve right to challenge the right to survey in circuit court. Landowners must be given 30 days written notice and include details about date, time, duration, location and contact information. (HB 1185)

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South Dakota to Adopt Landowner Bill of Rights
Package of bills near finish line to protect landowners during CO2 pipeline proceedings

PIERRE–Today, Republican Majority Leaders announced the nation’s first Landowner Bill of Rights related to carbon dioxide pipeline projects, making South Dakota a leader in landowner protections throughout the nation.

At the beginning of the 2024 Legislative Session, House Majority Leader Will Mortenson and Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree set out to protect landowners and address issues that have emerged in recent years related to interstate utility projects. Together, the Majority Leaders worked on proposals that focused on a project development process that promotes respect, fairness, and certainty for everyone involved.

“These bills are 100 percent pro-farmer and 100 percent pro-landowner,” said Rep. Mortenson, R-District 24. “This package has landowner protections, real benefits to landowners and real benefits to counties. Those were my requirements and they have been met. We’re keeping local input, while keeping South Dakota open for business.”

“When South Dakota farmers succeed, all of South Dakota succeeds, and that cuts both ways. When South Dakota farmers have limited access to national and global markets, our whole state suffers,” said Sen. Crabtree, R-District 8. “These bills reflect the values of South Dakota and set the path for the future of farming in South Dakota. We entered session with an opportunity to help farmers, and we followed through. This package of bills sets the new standard for other states to follow to secure their economic future and provide a blanket of strong protections to landowners.”

“It took us two years for us all to come together because we were so far apart on utility certainty and landowner protections,” said Rep. Oren Lesmeister, D-District 28A and House Minority Leader. “We’ve come together as South Dakotans to do what’s best for all of South Dakota, but especially farmers, ranchers and landowners.”

South Dakota lawmakers are set to approve substantial protections for landowners. To do business in South Dakota, CO2 utility projects will be required to:

1. Construct a minimum depth of 48 inches–a full foot beyond federal requirements.
2. Assume lifetime drain tile damage repair policy.
3. Assume pipeline leak liability protection.
4. Indemnify landowners from any damage caused by the pipeline.
5. File an agricultural impact mitigation plan with the Public Utilities Commission.
6. File a dispersion analysis report with the PUC.
7. Require land agents to have a tie to South Dakota.
8. Provide landowner with survey results.
9. Only mortgage pipeline infrastructure–not an easement holder’s property.
10. Limit easement duration to 99 years.
11. Construct CO2 pipeline within 5 years of easement enactment.
12. Abandon easements if the CO2 pipeline is out of service for 5 years.
13. Pipeline easements must be written.
14. Follow survey and access rights.
15. Provide an access payment to the landowner for survey and siting.

SB 201 collects financial payments from CO2 pipeline operators at the county level per linear foot of the pipeline. The surcharge will provide $0.50 to pipeline landowner property tax relief and $0.50 to county general discretion for each linear foot. This is an estimated influx of $3.6 million annually to South Dakota counties for tax relief.

HB 1185 establishes a clear and fair process for landowners to be informed and compensated for access by companies for surveying and siting. It also establishes a process to challenge requests for access. HB 1185 also sets a $500 payment for survey access to the landowner.

HB 1186 sets easement standards for CO2 pipeline planning projects in South Dakota. Easements will be required to be written, expire in 99 years and be abandoned if the pipeline is out of use for five years or more or if the operator fails to file for permitting within five years.

Together, these bills continue the South Dakota tradition of being good neighbors and right-sizing the issues that have emerged related to pipelines to forge a path forward that respects landowners, creates fairness for landowners and developers, and provides certainty for all parties during the phases of easements, constructions and operations.

SB 201, HB 1185 and HB 1186 are supported by agriculture, landowner, and economic development groups representing tens of thousands of family farms and landowners.

“By looking out for the landowner, the Legislature is requiring developers to accept these terms and be good neighbors in South Dakota,” added Crabtree. “The Legislature’s focus is on South Dakota. This package is the result of listening to landowners, farmers and our constituents and then doing the right thing for our state.”

“I’m excited for the Legislature to cross the finish line with these landowner protections,” added Mortenson. “Doing nothing this session benefits no one – especially farmers. I’m glad we are seizing our opportunity to help farmers, help counties, and ensure projects in our state get built in a South Dakota way.”

SB 201, HB 1185 and HB 1185 will be heard in conference committee on Wednesday, March 6. The proposed amendments for consideration are posted online at sdlegislature.gov.

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As alleged a few days ago, Taffy Howard filed paperwork to run for District 34 State Senate today.

Oddly, in the press release that Taffy’s ghostwriter sent out, her big statement talks about two things that she really should avoid bringing up this election:

“I am dedicated to serving District 34 and South Dakota. I will use my experience and relationships I’ve built in Pierre to build a brighter, safer, and stronger South Dakota together!” Howard declares, signaling her readiness to contribute to the state’s future.

Holy buckets?!? Did her flaks really try to invoke her “experience” and “relationships?”  WOW! Are they kidding?

Her experience? As in passing 0 – ZERO – bills out of 17 in her last three years at bat?  Or as in skipping 14% of floor votes in her last legislative session?  How about when she skipped the vote on impeachment?  In fact, I think Dusty Johnson did a commercial on her “experience” in the last election:

And let’s not forget this prior ding on her experience, as well as any claims of being conservative..

And that’s literally just the tip of the iceberg regarding her utter lack of competence as a legislator.

What about Howard’s claims invoking the relationships she’s built in Pierre?

I know there was one event in the last two years where, if she didn’t note it publicly, I believe the Governor referred to legislator Taffy at the time as useless. That came after Taffy sued Governor Kristi Noem over providing broadband service to rural communities.

Oh! Don’t forget! Remember back a couple of months ago when Taffy had an opportunity to help the Republican Party?

..while I have a deep admiration for what Trump has been able to accomplish, I do believe he is being used by the establishment elites in our state to give themselves some standing with their conservative constituents, which I don’t want to help in any way.

Read Taffy Howard’s screed here.

Yeah.. Lots of relationship building there.

So, as for Taffy’s “experience and relationships?” She might want to downplay those, lest people get wind of the real Taffy experience.

Saddle up, as Taffy Howard tries for a comeback. Because it sounds as if she’s riding a lot of bull on her way back to Pierre.