A bill to ban South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks officers from entering onto private lands is likely to be revived on the floor of the state Senate this afternoon (March 3).
A Senate committee killed HB1140, the ‘open fields’ doctrine, yesterday, despite it having the support of the Governor, Lt. Governor and Senate Majority Leader.
A battle to revive the bill began immediately after the committee adjourned yesterday and turned into what one Capitol insider called ‘total warfare’ early today.
The bill itself is considered a ‘must win’ for Governor Kristi Noem and yesterday’s unanimous Judiciary Committee veto was seen as a major setback.
Governor’s Office staffers were pressing hard to get HB1140 smoked out of committee and sent to the floor of the full Senate as early as this afternoon. They appear to have enough votes to have the bill called up and a major battle is imminent.
Opponents of the bill label it a ‘poachers bill’ saying it strips state GF&P officers of necessary tools to protect public wildlife.
Proponents say HB1140 improves relationships between landowners and conservation officers.
A similar bill failed several years ago when then State Senator Larry Rhoden brought the bill with the support of many west river landowners.
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