March 6, 2025:
The South Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee has killed bills (March 6, 2025) that would have increased livestock inspection fees and changed departmental oversight of the state Brand Board.
House Bill 1213 would have allowed livestock inspection fees to increase from $1 to $1.35 per head. It failed on a 5-2 vote. House Bill 1266 would have moved the Brand Board away from oversight by the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to being overseen by the state Office of School and Public Lands. That measure died, 4-3.
According to testimony, the livestock inspection fee was 10 cents per head in 1924 and a century later, it’s only increased to $1 per head. Supporters said the increase is long-overdue considering inflation and operating costs.
The South Dakota Broadcasters Association contributed to this story.
February 24, 2025:
The South Dakota State House has passed a bill that would move the state’s Brand Board out from under the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and put it under the Office of School and Public Lands.
The Brand Board is responsible for registering and regulating livestock brands, and ensuring new brands do not conflict with existing registered brands in the state. Some frustrated livestock owners and lawmakers say the Board has not been fulfilling those duties.
Rep. Jana Hunt of Dupree is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1266. She said fees have been increasing, and stock barns and producers want to know why. She also pointed out that the office hasn’t been audited since 2008 and moving it under the supervision of S&PL Commissioner Brock Greenfield could open the door to that.
Opposition to the measure focused on the new governor’s commitment to finding solutions. A policy advisor with the governor’s office assured committee members that Gov. Larry Rhoden, a brand holder himself, was focused on fixing the problems. The policy advisor also said the legislation could create bureaucratic hang-ups if the Governor were to maintain appointment authority while another statewide elected office handled operations.
“Give the governor, a rancher, time to sort this out,” said Rep. Tim Goodwin of Rapid City. “He’s only been on the job two weeks. He can figure this out. He’s a West River guy.”
But patience, particularly amongst policymakers representing largely agricultural communities, has run thin. Rep. Liz May of Kyle — a longtime proponent of sweeping changes to the Brand Board — pointed out that Rhoden has been a member of the executive branch since 2019, and the problems faced by ranchers have only continued to get worse.
“Right now, voices are not being heard,” said May, noting that instances of cattle theft have continued to rise. “He has been in this fight as long as I have, and he has had opportunities to do something different and he has not… We are trying to look for the largest part of our agricultural industry, the number one industry in the state.”
The House’s Native American lawmakers too said that inefficiencies had particularly harmed their constituents.
“Producers, time and time again, have come to the Legislature wanting change, and it hasn’t happened,” said Democrat Eric Emery. “I think the time has come that it is beyond the governor’s control, we need to listen to our cattle producers and advocate for their needs.”
Lawmakers voted 47-22 to advance the bill to the State Senate.
The South Dakota Broadcasters Association contributed to this story.
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