Why It Matters: The South Dakota legislative session saw its fair share of sportsmen-related legislation. Fortunately, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), working with partners and the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, was able to defeat bills that could have led to a transfer of funds from the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and a discharge distance bill that was introduced during the session. The South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was also significantly strengthened this year.
Highlights:
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation was active in the Mount Rushmore State working with the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP).
- South Dakota House Bill 1236 (HB 1236), which would have increased the discharge distance in South Dakota from 660 feet to one-quarter mile, or 1320 feet, was ultimately defeated with support from the hunting community.
- Similarly defeated was South Dakota Senate Bill 153 (SB 153) which would have made all land purchases for parks and required all park improvements to be made with the funds from the Division of Wildlife budget.
On March 13, the South Dakota Legislative Session came to a close, with the Governor’s Veto Day quickly approaching. South Dakota has one of the fastest legislative sessions, only lasting a total of 38 working days. Even with a short session, there was no shortage of sportsmen-related legislation, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation worked closely with many partners, as well as the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to defeat several pieces of legislation that would have threatened conservation funding and opportunities for sportsmen and women.
First, House Bill 1236, legislation that would have increased the size of the safety zone where hunters are not legally allowed to hunt, was defeated in the Senate. The current safety zone does not allow hunting within 660 feet of an occupied dwelling, church, school, or live stick without written permission. HB 1236, due to what was misleadingly framed as safety concerns, would have doubled the size of the safety zone to one-quarter mile, or 1320 feet. This increase in discharge distance would have significantly limited hunting access and would have likewise curtailed the GFP from relying on firearm hunters to assist with management objectives in suburban and exurban areas. Fortunately, this bill failed to pass the Senate and was defeated.
Also defeated was Senate Bill 153, which would have required the use of Division of Wildlife’s budget for all land purchases for parks and required all park improvements, ultimately resulting in a diversion of sportsmen-generated fund of funds. Under federal law, any diversion of hunting or fishing license revenue away from its required use would make a state ineligible to receive federal Sportfish and Wildlife Restoration apportionments, meaning additional losses for conservation funding. Fortunately, SB 153 was tabled in committee after strong opposition from the sporting-conservation community.
Aside from legislation, there were also significant advancements for the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus following the 2024 election cycle. The Caucus now has full bipartisan leadership with Representatives Jessica Bahmuller and Kadyn Wittman and Senators Taffy Howard and Liz Larson. The Co-Chairs have been active in promoting the Caucus and encouraging members of the legislature to join the Caucus. Through their efforts, they have doubled the size of the Caucus and helped secure the aforementioned victories for sportsmen and women in South Dakota.
