Habitat funding on its way to governor
By:
Dana Hess, Community News Service
PIERRE — A bill to add a habitat stamp to hunting and fishing licenses is on its way to Gov. Kristi Noem after passage through both chambers of the Legislature.
SB75 creates a habitat stamp of $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Participants who purchase both hunting and fishing licenses would need to purchase only one habitat stamp. Excluded from the requirement are those who purchase one-day licenses, youth hunting licenses, private shooting preserve licenses and landowner hunting licenses.
Rep. Herman Otten, R-Lennox, said the fee would be used for the improvement of public lands and waters and can’t be used by the Game, Fish and Parks Department to purchase more land. Otten made his remarks during House debate on Monday.
Asked the difference between a fee and a tax, Otten said that the fee could be paid voluntarily by people who don’t hunt or fish but want to see the habitat on public lands improve.
“Why not leave it optional for everyone?” asked Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, expressing her opposition to the bill. “We don’t need to make it where only the wealthy are hunters.”
Rep. Oren Lesmeister, D-Parade, said price has never been a consideration for him when he gets his hunting and fishing licenses.
“I just tell them what I want and I pay it,” Lesmeister said. “This is one of the best bills as far as habitat goes.”
Rep. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, noted that the bill has been endorsed by every major wildlife group in South Dakota. “All of them want to get this done,” Reed said.
Rep. Kent Peterson, R-Salem, called the habitat stamp a user fee for those who use public lands.
“It’s going to be for a specific purpose,” said Peterson, calling attention to the $10 and $25 fees. “I don’t think that’s too egregious.”
The House endorsed the bill on a vote of 50-14. After Senate concurrence Wednesday on an amendment, it now goes to the governor for her signature.
