Governor Noem’s “Riot Booster” legislation re-boot passed House State Affairs Committee this morning on a 10-3 vote. Committee Chair & House Majority Leader Lee Qualm (R-Platte) limited testimony to twenty minutes for each side, cutting off speaking opportunities for several … Continued
In the waning hours of the 2019 Legislative Session, Governor Noem, aided by a super-majority of legislators, passed the notorious and unconstitutional “Riot Booster” Act targeting individuals and organizations opposed to the Keystone XL Pipeline. Later that Spring, Dakota Rural … Continued
County Zoning Under the Knife A week ago at the Rapid City Stock Show, Governor Noem outlined plans for “cutting rural development red tape” with a zoning bill aimed at gutting the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process on the county … Continued
The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted by Kathy Tyler, Former State Legislator & Big Stone City resident. It was published on 2/4/20 in the Brookings Register and is published here by permission of the author. I am … Continued
Public Comment to the Black Hills National Forest Service on F3’s Jenny Gulch Gold Exploration Project F3 Gold has requested permission from the Forest Service to drill for gold at 42 locations in the Jenny Gulch area north of Silver … Continued
Last Friday, Governor Noem announced upcoming legislation for “streamlining” the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process on the county level. The focus of discussion on the bill (which occurred at the Rapid City Stock Show) was around permitting for Concentrated Animal … Continued
By Julie Santella, DRA Black Hills Chapter & Individual Intervenor in the Contested Case Hearing Two weeks ago, South Dakota’s Water Management Board approved five water permits related to construction of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. TransCanada applied for three … Continued
Session Week Three Industrial Hemp Bill Deferred for Final Edits This year’s Industrial Hemp licensing, production, and transportation bill (HB 1008) wasn’t quite in its final form on Thursday morning when it was scheduled for its first hearing. Instead of … Continued
Trash the Plastic Trash Bill! Preemption Bill on the Senate Floor TODAY RIGHT NOW–take a minute to contact your Senator for a NO vote Click the link below to find contact info for your state senator, or call and leave … Continued
Water Management Board Approves TransCanada Permits The legislative week began on Tuesday, but DRA staff & members were across the river in Fort Pierre for the conclusion of nearly a year of meetings and hearings around five contested water permits … Continued