Week 7 Rocky Blare Legislative Report The biggest item this year was passing HB1137 which will reduce the state sales tax rates in South Dakota from 4.5% to 4.2%. This will reduce the tax burden for citizens by $100 million, the largest tax decrease in SD history. We can do this because of the increased revenue received and projections of the ability to sustain growth without adversely effecting other programs. This would honor a promise made to SD citizens when the ½% sales tax was approved in prior years. At that time a promise was made that we would reduce that tax once sufficient tax revenue from internet sales was achieved, at that point we would reduce the rate increase. This was known as the Partridge amendment. This will now go to the Senate for their approval.

Several bills passed this week to provide South Dakotans with more election security and election integrity. The legislature worked with county commissioners, auditors, and the legislative research council on HB1124. It deals with ballot tabulation machines and testing. It also prescribes best practices to test ballots and increase public access to the tests. SB160 establishes a post-election audit process to verify a hand count and machine account are consistent with the official election canvas. SB116 allows the legislature to intervene in legislation against SD election laws that could result in new policy without the approval of lawmakers. SB102 deals with the Secretary of State maintaining and making public one official list of candidates on its website.

HB1114 targets updates to recount boards with oath requirements, conflict of interest parameters and board make up.

HB1112 deals with runoff elections.

HB 1165 corrects out of date election requirements, bans unmonitored ballot drop boxes, expands poll watching access to absentee ballot sorting and bans harvesting of ballots.

SB140 improves the accuracy and security of the voter registration process and files.

SB139 was passed out of State Affairs which revised the residency requirement for purposes of voter registration so South Dakotans vote for South Dakotans.

We also passed a bill HB1226 which would require the Dept. of Health (DOH) to make rules regarding advertising, marketing, and regulating the Delta 8 and Delta 10 markets (cannabis markets). With the higher THC levels the concern is that it is being sold in packaging that looks like candy, for example skittles.

There are two bills regarding foreign ownership of our agriculture land HB1189 still survives as passed in the House. We have a ban in SD of foreign ownership of over 160 acres. This bill will help close a loophole by requiring disclosure by a foreign owned corporation as to whether they hold an interest in South Dakota ag land. The Governor had a bill SB185 that went further and created a new board. The agricultural groups had concerns over the Governor’s bill, and it was killed in the Senate. We will continue to work with the Governor on this issue.

Our National Guard ranks among the best in the nation in almost all categories. There is a bill to fund 100% tuition for members of the National Guard who attend either a 4 year or 2-year college program. Tuition funding is a good way to give back to the men and women of the Guard who have served our state and nation with distinction. The House passed a Brand Board bill that would change the make-up of the Board from appointed to elected members from seven districts representing individuals from different districts. When I left Friday the bill’s sponsor told me they are negotiating in the Senate to address the issues with the current program. I have been trying to get them to address the problems and I know something must be done.

I enjoyed visiting with many from my district during the cracker barrels this week. I appreciate your comments and interest in the legislative process. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns.

My email is Rocky.Blare@sdlegislature.gov, which is one of the best ways to contact me.