We have wrapped up Week 7 of the legislative session with only 2 more weeks to go before we are finished with our work for the year. Here is a quick update on the bills that I still have alive in the process. HB 1084 an act to increase the maximum allowable height of certain vehicles carrying baled feed and to declare an emergency. HB 1084 was signed by the Governor this past week which makes it effective immediately due to the emergency. This means that the height restriction for commercially hauled baled feed is now 15’. HB 1257 an act to revise certain provisions regarding hunting, fishing, or trapping on private property without permission. HB 1257 passed the Senate Ag Committee unanimously and will now go on the consent calendar in the Senate, this is the last step for HB 1257 before heading to the Governor’s desk.

The next legislative deadline that we need to meet is our Second Crossover day, which is next week Monday. This means that any bills that have made it from the Senate to the House, and likewise for House bills that made it to the Senate, need to have their committee hearing by the end of this week. By having the second crossover day it allows for us to have time next week for Conference Committees. Conference Committees are created when a bill comes back to its chamber of origin and is in a different form. For example, if my baled feed height bill had been amended in the senate to lower the height back to 14’ 3” then we could send the bill to a conference committee. At that point 3 members of the House and 3 members of the Senate would be appointed to the conference committee and we would meet to work out a compromise. Then we would take the compromise back to chambers and if it is accepted by both chambers the bill heads to the Governor. If the changes are not accepted, then another conference committee can be appointed to try a second compromise and if that fails the bill is dead.

Additionally, we have spent a great deal of time this session learning about the financial needs that are out there in the State. I can safely say that there are more needs out there than we have resources for and that means that we must find a way to get our resources spread across as many priorities as we can. Even though the work started weeks ago I would encourage you, if you’re interested, to follow what the Joint Committee on Appropriations is doing. That is the committee that is crafting the final numbers for the budget and they meet every morning. If you visit the Legislative Research Councils website you can click on the Budget tab and then go to 2020 Hearing Documents you can find the budget proposals for each of the departments.

The last two weeks will go quickly and as always if you have any questions or if you would like any additional information on these issues or any other issues please contact me by email at Caleb.Finck@SDLegislature.gov or call me at 605-933-2042. Have a great week!