Edmunds County Tribune -

House Report by Scott Moore

February 16, 2024

As South Dakota Legislators close out week six and move into week seven the workload continues to be steady but organized.

In week six House Education committee heard bills on school funding HB 1048. This bill was originally brought forward from South Dakota Department of Education and is titled “School Accountability” bill. As the terms/ agreements of the Blue-Ribbon School Task Force end, June 30, 2024, there needs to be some new policy/law put in place to give schools a road map to follow while using state and federal funds. This bill will set minimum dollar amount public schools will need to start their teachers’ salaries at. This legislation although moving through the House floor still needs work and negotiations are still being held between all parties. I voted in committee to move this bill to the full house but there is need and room for improvement. I don’t like the idea of taking local control from our school boards, administrators, and talking about our school employees as if they are not doing their jobs. I’m guessing this could be a last-minute last day vote, not a way to make good legislation especially since we are dealing with our greatest assets our youth.

Legislative bills dealing with landowner rights, CO2 pipeline lines and some bills addressing both are floating around each chamber. It is becoming obvious where the support on these issue lies. Negotiation continues as HB 1185, HB 1186, HB 1203 passed out of the House of Representatives, and SB 201 stay in play. There will be an attempt to Smoke Out HB 1219, introduced by Representative Jon Hanson, which did not come out of committee on a 7-6 vote. Once again, this issue could be left to the end of session as negotiations continue.

There seems to be a need in Pierre to give local boards direction in decision making on many fronts including local school elections. I believe everyone has a responsibility to vote and the state legislators should let the local boards set dates complying with current law. Voter turnout is the responsibility of the registered voters. People need to realize that voting is a privilege, and we should take a few minutes to vote in all elections. Everyone’s voice/vote needs to be counted. The bigger the turnout, better decisions can be made with a more defined direction.