House Ag and Natural Resources | 2026-02-17 [Source] Translate

The Ag and Natural Resources Committee meeting began with a roll call confirming a quorum, followed by the unanimous approval of the previous meeting's minutes. The chair reminded testifiers to sign in and that handouts should be distributed by pages, who introduced themselves and shared their future plans. The first bill discussed was HB 1277, which aimed to require campgrounds to comply with National Fire Protection Association standards. The prime sponsor requested to table the bill due to the absence of proponents, and the motion to table passed with 12 votes in favor. Next, the committee addressed HB 1269, which would require manufacturers of agricultural equipment to allow independent repair providers or owners to make certain repairs. The chair outlined the time allocation for proponents and opponents. Representative Liz May, the bill's sponsor, emphasized the bill's importance for farmers' rights to repair their equipment and access necessary diagnostic tools. Willie Cade, CEO of Graceful Solutions, supported the bill, arguing that restricting repair access is monopolistic and harmful to farmers. Doug Sompke, a farmer, shared his experiences with repair delays, while Melissa McCauley from Dakota Rural Action highlighted its significance for new farmers facing high equipment costs. Other supporters included Nick Nemec and Orrin Lustmeister, who discussed the challenges of accessing technicians in rural areas. Opponents included Scott VanderWaal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, who argued that existing agreements with manufacturers adequately address repair access without the need for legislation. He emphasized that these agreements ensure timely access to repair information while protecting manufacturers' intellectual property. Other opponents raised concerns about safety, cybersecurity, and the potential for increased liability and compliance costs. The committee continued discussions on the implications of the proposed legislation and existing agreements. A motion to move HB 1269 to the 41st day was made and passed with nine votes in favor and four excused. The second part of the meeting focused on HB 1288, which aims to modify the authority of political subdivisions to adopt mining ordinances. Proponents, including Representative Terry Jorgensen and Meade County officials, argued for local control to address mining impacts. Opponents, including representatives from the South Dakota Mineral Industries Association, expressed concerns about regulatory uncertainty and the undermining of existing governance frameworks. Several stakeholders, including lobbyists and representatives from various associations, voiced opposition to HB 1288, emphasizing the need for comprehensive zoning ordinances and the potential for inconsistent regulations across jurisdictions. The discussion highlighted the complexities of mineral rights ownership and the limitations of local ordinances. The committee voted on a motion to move HB 1288 to the 41st day, which passed with seven votes in favor, three against, and three excused. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.