I want to start off this week’s column by apologizing for the lateness of this article. Not a positive note to kick off the update, but I wanted to hold off on turning it in so I could include the information that was discussed at our two crackerbarrels that were held this weekend. It’s possible that we spend most of our time discussing what seems to stick out to us after a week in Pierre or what we’ve been working on, when perhaps you’re truly looking for information on a topic we may not even touch on. Our first crackerbarrel was in Huron at 10:00 am at the Municipal Building. Education and the liquor license changes that are proposed in this year’s session appeared to be priorities. Senate Bill 126 is a controversial bill that will allow cities and counties to issue more liquor licenses. In the proposal, the city would have reimbursed license holders for the market value of their licenses. The new version would require holders to declare the value of their license. Interested buyers would be required to try to purchase a current license from a holder before a new one would be issued. The issue is headed back to committee on Wednesday hoping the two sides of the issue can find a compromise they agree on.

 Senate Bill 172 would appropriate money to the Department of Public Safety to fund the South Dakota Highway Patrol. This bill was heard in Senate Judiciary and was amended to read $2,000,000 rather than $1. It will now be heard in Senate Appropriations.
 We have a bill before us that would regulate the right to carry a fire arm on the campuses of public institutions of higher education. This passed unanimously out of State Affairs Committee on Wednesday. We’ve had a lot of feedback on this issue from people within and outside of the state.  Overwhelmingly, residents of South Dakota wish to have the right to carry firearms on these campuses. The opinions of those from out of state appear to be those from activist groups that would like gun control in almost every area of our lives. I’m proud of the people of South Dakota who recognize the importance of hunting as a pastime to pass on to the future generation and the right to bear arms.  Also, I believe we are smart enough to realize that criminals don’t follow the rules anyways.
House Bills 1005 and 1006 passed the House floor on Thursday. House Bill 1005 revises certain provisions concerning the assessment of real property, to assess agricultural land based on its agricultural income value, to create an implementation and oversight advisory task force, to repeal certain provisions regarding the assessment of property, and to repeal the nonagricultural acreage classification. This bill was amended in House State Affairs and was passed out of the committee on an 8-4 vote.  The vote on the House floor was 45-22 in favor of the bill. This bill was discussed at length at the Clark crackerbarrel. There were a few area residents who had some concerns about the impact of the legislation and I feel we had good discussion.  This is a major change in state policy and it’s not hard to believe we have some dissention in the ranks. However, as one who has spent the past 2 years studying this issue in session and on the Property Tax Summer Study, I believe it is the right change to make to a broken system. House Bill 1006 is the companion bill that holds the school districts harmless in counties where assessments would drop and does the same for taxpayers in counties where assessments would rise. The bills will now move to the Senate side and I will follow its progress. Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have.
I have the privilege to have my son Booker with me this week on Monday and Tuesday and my daughter Kennedy will join me on Wednesday and Thursday. I am anticipating that they will have an educational experience. Booker was shocked to see desks and chairs in the House chambers when he arrived on Monday morning as he was told all weekend he would sit by mom on the House “floor”. It was a little tough explaining the thought process to a 5 year old. Have a great week.