2019 S.D. Legislature: Legislative session wraps up

By: 
Rep. Steve Haugaard, District 10
  PIERREOnce again the South Dakota Legislature has complied with the requirement to balance our budget. That was done in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 13. We adjourned after 3 a.m. Our goal was to get our work done AND to let as many people as possible get on the road to get home ahead of the blizzard. Some of us stayed in Pierre to finish some details and that turned into another couple of days before we could get home. It’s great to get back to regular work and family. 
 
 
 

We will return to Pierre next week for “Veto Day” to address any vetoes and attempt to either find a compromise or vote on possible overrides, if necessary. There will also be some additional time spent with closing out this Session as well as preparing for interim work before next year’s Session.
 
 
 
 
Two of the more significant issues that were addressed last week included the “Pipeline Bills” and the “Hemp Bill”. The Pipeline Bills (SB 189 and 190) were intended to be proactive and are designed to shift as many costs to the pipeline company as possible. Construction of the pipeline across western South Dakota might begin yet this year, so the legislation is intended to make all of the possible parties aware of the ultimate costs as well as possible prosecution for disruption of construction.  
The Hemp Bill (HB 1191) did pass the House, then the Senate with amendments, then back to the House for concurrence, then was sent to the Governor. The Governor vetoed the bill. The House then overrode the Governor’s veto, but the Senate did not override the veto. So, the Hemp Bill died. I understand the Governor’s concerns and share some of them. I believe it is a reasonable crop to be used in a rotation for soil improvement and it is a marketable commodity. I was sad to see that some people mistook it as a forerunner of legalizing marijuana. I expect we will see it come back next year when law enforcement has an opportunity to adequately prepare for testing. That is something that will need to happen in the coming year anyway as the surrounding states will likely need to use our highways for transport of their hemp crops.  
There is a lot of information concerning the agricultural benefits associated with hemp. It actually has the potential to neutralize the effect of marijuana plants when it cross pollinates and us a useful crop for both the fiber and oil content. It is also important to know that it was authorized in the most recent Farm Bill. So, we will see what additional information comes out before next session.
Again, the Bills mentioned above can be reviewed and testimony as well as floor speeches can be heard by going to the Legislative Research Council website. There, you will also be able to see how each of us voted on the Bills and probably hear some of the explanation as to why we voted for or against each bill. The archived testimony and floor debate are available at any time on the Legislative Research Council website, https://sdlegislature.gov/
Thank you for following the progress of the annual legislative session and thank you for your insights in regard to any of the bills we are considering. Be sure to contact me with questions you might have. I try to respond to anyone from Districts 10 and 25, so please note that on the subject line of your email.  Steven.Haugaard@sdlegislature.gov  

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