Ag Education & Research |
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We support the upgrade of the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADRDL) at South Dakota State University to include a Bio-Security Level 3 (BSL 3) Laboratory and encourage the state legislature to provide adequate funding for its construction. We encourage development of ag processing in the state including livestock, grain and other commodities. We oppose creation of a value-added ag fund generated from a one-cent sales tax. We support the use of ink made from soy oil. We support the use of biodegradable packaging materials made from ag products. We support adequate funding for vocational agriculture programs and encourage curricula that project farming and ranching as a business, not just a way of life. We support the Cooperative Extension program, 4-H and FFA. Local Farm Bureau boards should coordinate withcounty extension boards to determine the best local programs. The Ag In the Classroom project should be governed by a board of directors elected from the dues-paying members of AITC. Supplemental funding for the project should be included in the budget of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. We encourage programs to educate consumers regarding the safety, value and health benefits of biotechnology and irradiated foods. |
Ag Regulation |
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We favor continuing the effective permitting, regulating and monitoring of the breeding and raising of elk, deer and other cervids under the S.D. Animal Industry Board and the State Veterinarian. Introduction of wild animals or plants for release in the state should continue under the jurisdiction of the S.D. Department of Ag. S.D. apiary regulations should be amended to provide that landowners may allow or employ any apiary to site bees on their property. We support a concentrated effort by the public and private sector to isolate and defeat chronic wasting disease in both wildlife and livestock. State and local farm organizations should have input in setting up guidelines as to the handling and use of hazardous ag chemicals. We oppose any additional taxes and regulations on non-restricted ag chemicals. Farm Bureau opposes any additional taxes to pay for cleanup of chemical spills. No city, municipality or township should be permitted to enact stricter regulations than current state or federal regulations in regard to the use, storage or disposal of ag chemicals. We oppose any additional regulations on farm fuel storage tanks and request a review of the present regulations. State inspection should be mandatory for protein and moisture testers used by licensed grain handlers. We recommend all commercial scales used in the weighing of livestock, grain and feed be equipped and operated only with an electronic or mechanical weight ticket stamp.
We oppose state operation of OSHA plans under federal guidelines that result in routine enforcement inspections for small farm employers.
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Ag Regulations - Livestock |
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We believe the current practice of slaughtering horses in the United States is a humane and effective way of utilizing horses and should remain in effect. We favor a permit for alternative technology designs for the management and/or control of feedlot runoff water that does not provide actual storage capacities as set forth in the general permit. Allowances for research permits should be made when the “general permit” is reviewed as long as a state university and federal agency such as NRCS are parties to that research project. Parameters for a “research permit” should be limited by allowances of the Clean Water Act rather than the South Dakota “general permit.” South Dakota Farm Bureau supports the review of the South Dakota general permit. We believe livestock production is an important value added ag industry. We recognize the need to expand livestock production in the state and encourage the construction of processing facilities. We feel livestock producers should receive equal protection in matters of siting and/or expanding their operation. Farm Bureau favors allowing the establishment of livestock operations in South Dakota if DENR regulations and local ordinances are followed.Criteria should include: (1) Science based air and water quality standards; (2) Sound conservation practices; and (3) Good stewardship.
We support and encourage the concept of ag districts within the county zoning ordinances.
Local zoning laws should stipulate that once livestock feeding operations are established and operating within the law, a property right has been established and that right is transferable without further government action.
We believe that actions, under ordinances of zoning boards, are administrative and should not be subject to referendum. County ordinances are determined by the people and set to be fair and equitable standards for all. Individual permits under the ordinance should not be subject to a public vote, which would open the door to discrimination and become a popularity contest.
We favor changing the law to require a simple majority of the zoning board to obtain a conditional use permit. We encourage expansion of procedures and practices that can be performed by veterinary livestock assistants. Procedures known and designated as castrating, spaying, dehorning, and pregnancy testing of cattle, sheep or horses, and swine, should not be considered the practice of Veterinary medicine within the meaning of state law. A producer’s right to administer vaccinations, wormers, antibiotics, and other medications to the animals on his farm, ranch, or kennel should be protected. If a farm or ranch on agricultural zoned land adds a USDA or state-licensed and inspected kennel breeding operation, that operation will be viewed as part of the agri-business of the existing farm or ranch. Farm Bureau favors continuance of the state inspection of meat locker facilities and products. Farm Bureau supports the S.D. Family Farm Act and supports amendments that would treat all livestock producers equally.
SDFB supports ongoing research relating to the application of manure to frozen and/or snow covered ground. |
Agriculture Credit |
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Lending institutions should put more emphasis on helping young farmers and ranchers get started in agriculture with the aid of guaranteed loans.
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Agriculture Promotion |
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We favor increased incentives from the state of South Dakota to maximize the number of veterinary school slots that can be acquired and to encourage graduating veterinary medical students to engage in large animal practice in the state. South Dakota Farm Bureau supports the concept of the S.D. Certified Beef Program. We recognize the nutritional value of meat and promote it as an essential part of everyone’s daily diet. We urge state institutions to refrain from purchasing imported meat and to give preference to in-state produced and processed meat products, if available.
We recognize the right of producers to promote increased research, sales and consumption of the commodities they produce. State and federal governments should not cease funding research and promotion with the intent of allowing the farmer checkoff-funded programs to cover such costs. We support commodity checkoff programs provided they meet the following criteria: (1) Approval by producer referendum prior to implementation or change of a program; (2) Referendum procedures which protect voting rights and the confidentiality of individual producers, provide uniform voting procedures and encourage maximum participation by producers. The minimum voting age should be 18 years old; (3) Producer control over the program. A referendum shall be held at any time upon petition of 10 percent comprising a representative sample of registered producers; (4) Limitations so that funds are used only for promotion, market development and research. Grower educational programs should be limited to project information and financial statements; (5) For programs that authorize refunds of assessments, the refunds should be distributed in a timely manner; (6) Emphasize value-added benefits to producers and focus on higher net returns for farmers; (7) Provide an annual report and strengthen oversight activities to assure producers that the funds are being used only for their intended purposes of promotion, research and market development and not diverted to help finance state or national organizations whose major purpose is to provide legislative and regulatory services for members; (8) Any commission or body created under an agricultural commodity promotion program should be required to provide complete accountability to its producers of the expenditure of funds collected from them. |
Animal Care |
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We support industry established standards for the management, care and treatment of animals in agriculture and in medical research. Suspected violations of those standards should be investigated by appropriate legal authorities. We support due process before any private property or any animals can be confiscated or disposed of by the humane society or similar groups. Unlawful action taken against livestock owners, research or other facilities should be classified as a felony. Three notarized complaints must be filed with the proper authorities before a warrant to enter an animal facility is issued. A waiting/warning period must be given the owner/operator to correct any problem prior to law enforcement action. Farm Bureau supports legislation that provides adequate legal protection for scientists engaged in medical or animal research.
We are opposed to the use of animal rights curricula in schools. We encourage Farm Bureau members to emphasize the propercare farmers and ranchers presently give farm animals.
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Education |
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Farm Bureau supports adequate funding for sparsity factor legislation. Farm Bureau urges the South Dakota State Legislature and the governor to remove or raise the limits on fund reserves that a school district can maintain. The control for our schools should remain with the local elected board of education. Public schools should focus on teaching solid academics. We support a strong reading and phonics program along with a testing program at the end of each year as a requirement to advance. We support the concept of open enrollment. We also support the option of home schooling. The state aid to education formula should allow for the cost of home school students to participate in extra-curricular activities. We encourage teaching civics and citizenship in schools. We also encourage the “teaching” of thelocaltax structure and local budgets. We encourage retaining the right to say the Pledge of Allegiance in all schools and at all school functions. We support voluntary prayer in schools, and favor allowing public and private schools to post the Ten Commandments.
We encourage consolidation of school administration, faculty and electronic equipment when feasible. We oppose a program of teacher salary enhancement out of state funds. Salary decisions should remain at the local level. We support the starting date of school districts staying with local decision of the school boards. The present State Aid Formula is under- funded and creating a hardship on many school districts thereby jeopardizing the future of rural communities. We ask the Legislature to develop a formula which creates a quality education system that is equitable to all school districts. Membership of the Board of Regents should include at least two members from agriculture related businesses. At least one of these should be involved in production agriculture. We urge the Board of Regents to increase academic entrance requirements instead of capping student enrollment. We favor tuition reciprocity programs between neighboring states at vocational schools, colleges and universities. Farm Bureau encourages student loan programs and strongly recommends enforcement of the repayment of such loans. |
Elections |
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Only S.D. registered voters should be eligible to circulate petitions for ballot measures. For statewide ballot measures, we favor changing the requirednumber of signatures to a percent of the state’s registered voters. We favor retention of the Electoral College for presidential elections. Electors should be required to vote for the candidates on the ballots to which they were pledged. We oppose proposals to make the popular vote the sole determinant of presidential elections. We favor all legislative districts consist of one senator and two representatives. We oppose term limits for state legislators. We support citizen’s rights of Referendum and Initiated Measures. The Public Utilities Commission should be kept an elected body. Farm Bureau favors revising election laws to limit the amount of time for campaigns. We also support efforts to require candidates to clean up their litter after elections.
We support combining elections whenever possible.
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Energy |
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Farm Bureau recognizes the need farmers and ranchers have for increased energy supplies and supports the construction of the Keystone pipeline projects in South Dakota.
We support building oil refineries in South Dakota. SDFB supports efforts to identify opportunities and address obstacles in the development of renewable energies and uses for by-products from potential energy sources. We support expansion of wind energy production in South Dakota. We support the use of a renewable energy standard to be applied to the growth in energy consumption. We favor continued research into the feasibility of alternative energy production in South Dakota and support research to find better methods to transmit and store electricity produced by wind energy. We support increased ethanol blender fuel pumps in the state. We support a state renewable fuel requirement that all gasoline contain a minimum of 20% ethanol. We support the production and use of ethanol fuels. We support the state incentive for ethanol production and urge fuel distributors to pass the tax incentive on to ethanol users.
We support production and use of soy diesel and other bio-fuels. |
Environment |
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We favor strict enforcement of all S.D. litter laws. All soft drink and alcoholic beverages sold in South Dakota should be in containers with a deposit paid thereon. Farm Bureau supports use of returnable chemical containers. Farm Bureau opposes holding farmers legally or financially responsible for trace amounts of ag chemicals found in a water source providing manufacturer’s directions and instructions have been followed. Farm Bureau opposes holding present owners accountable for past violations of water protection or other environmental laws by former owners of that land. Farm Bureau favors governmental entities and agriculture being treated with the same criteria for non-point source water protection.
Farm Bureau believes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources must show proof that contamination is occurring before adverse actions can be taken against farmers. |
Family |
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South Dakota Farm Bureau supports the legal definition of marriage as a union of one male and one female. We believe neither the United States nor any state should deprive any human being of life or equal protection of the law on account of illness, age, or incapacity. We also believe life begins at the moment of conception. Congress and the State Legislature should establish these principals with appropriate legislation. |
Game, Fish & Parks |
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SDFB suggests a surcharge on all hunting and fishing fees to be used for county and township roads. Government agencies responsible for the management of wildlife should be held to the same standards as the private sector with regard to brucellosis. We favor state funding to compensate landowners who suffer lost income due to prairie dog migration and infestation from public land to private land. We ask the SD Department of Agriculture and the SD Department of Game, Fish & Parks to monitor the compliance by the federal government agencies of the SD Prairie Dog Management Plan. We favor returning the prairie dog to the S.D. pest list and ask state and federal agencies to immediately stop all activities and efforts to list the prairie dog as endangered. Farm Bureau supports the same season for resident and non-resident pheasant hunters. We will work with groups and individuals to review current laws and court decisions in regard to conservation officer access to private lands and the “open fields doctrine.”
The South Dakota Farm Bureau supports the following: 1) legislation to provide for legislative review and approval of the SD Game, Fish & Parks budget, 2) reform aerial hunting regulations in order to make them more landowner and agriculture-friendly, 3) clarify the authority of conservation officers, 4) halt land acquisition by the Game, Fish & Parks and encourage more walk-in hunting funding and designations, 5) encourage the SD Game, Fish & Parks to act more landowner-friendly by: A) consulting with landowners regarding game problems, B) consulting with landowners regarding hunting access, C) providing transferable licenses, coupons for landowners, etc. D) adequately funding depredation programs. The landowner positions on the GF&P Commission should be required to earn at least 60% of their income from agricultural production. Game, Fish & Parks should establish hunting seasons that reflect the number of wildlife and the depredation problems that wildlife cause. We support increasing the number of non-resident waterfowl license sales. We oppose additional acquisition of land by GF&P except for small narrow tracts that provide access to any existing GF&P property. Before any property is acquired by GF&P, the commission should hold public hearings in the vicinity of the proposed acquisition. Leasing of land for wildlife production and hunting, as well as refuges, is preferred over government ownership. GF&P funds which are scheduled for land acquisition should be used for animal damage control. GF&P shall compensate farmers and ranchers for game depredation. We also support issuing transferable depredation tags to producers based on damage. Current Game, Fish & Parks policy allows 48 hours for action on a depredation complaint. We favor shortening the time period to 8 hours. If hunting license fees are increased, we support a lesser percentage increase for residents than non-residents. Predator license fees should remain unchanged. We support more effective predator control measures. Government agencies shall control predators. GF&P should return a percentage of its income to counties for predator control.
We recommend extreme caution in the state becoming involved in a comprehensive wildlife management plan that includes federal mandates, diminishes property rights or impacts local economies. We support the use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and aircraft by coyote hunters engaged in livestock protection. Any person carrying a legal hunting license should be allowed to shoot wildlife for another member of the hunting party with a valid hunting license. We support the right of S.D. resident landowners/operators to transfer big game licenses to other hunters. We oppose road hunting. We oppose extending the pheasant hunting season beyond December 1. Game, Fish & Parks and School and Public Lands must control noxious weeds and pests on their property. Game, Fish & Parks shall properly and timely dispose of big game from roadways and ditches. We favor immediate steps to reduce the mountain lion population to the extent that they will not continue to be crowded into areas of human habitation.
We favor no hunting without permission within 660’ of any house, farmstead, or livestock. |
Government |
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Since many incorporated cities have extra-territorial jurisdiction beyond their boundaries in such matters as zoning and law enforcement, residents living in those extra-territorial areas should be allowed to vote in city elections so that they have representation. Farm Bureau supports township and other local levels of government. Any consideration of local government consolidation must be decided by a vote of the people of each government entity involved. We support policies and procedures to allow local, community and private fire fighting units the authority to extinguish forest and prairie fires in instances when they are the first responder. |
Gun Owners Rights |
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We oppose any legislation to require registration or licenses for firearms. We support reciprocity between states involving firearms permits. |
Health Care |
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South Dakota Farm Bureau opposes legalizing marijuana for any purpose. South Dakota Farm Bureau is opposed to any health care benefits discrimination against individuals participating in work or leisure activities involving ATV’s, snowmobiles, motorcycles or horseback riding. We favor a mandatory blood test prior to obtaininga marriage license. We continue to support the South Dakota risk pool to provide health insurance for the uninsurable. Any health care legislation should encourage accountability and cost savings by the consumer. People should be able to choose their own health protection including high deductible insurance policies andmedical savings accounts (MSA’s). We oppose federal government subsidy and involvement in health care, and we recognize that any government financed health program is in fact, socialized medicine.
We favor expanding existing state programs for in-home care for the elderly and disabled to allow these people to remain in their homes and reduce costs. |
Highway Regulations |
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Responsibility for construction, maintenance, cleaning, repair and legal liability of auto gates should remain with the government entity responsible for the road. S.D. Farm Bureau opposes S.D. Department of Transportation inspections on non-commercial pickups, trucks and trailers under 26,000 lb GVW even if their combined GVW weights are over 26,000 lbs. The S.D. DOT regulation which restricts mowing of state highway rights-of-way before a certain date should be eliminated to improve highway safety, weed control, and hay quality. We support the opportunity for adjoining landowners to hay the median on interstate highways. We oppose authority for S.D. DOT to enforce fines for exceeding load limits by checking elevator weight tickets. We favor retaining the right to obtain a restricted drivers permit at age 14, with passage of the driving test. The license plate number and one other descriptive item should be the only information required for prosecution for the violation of passing a school bus with a flashing red light.
We encourage implementation of the living snow fence program to work in conjunction with the continuous CRP program. State and local governments should work together on this to make it beneficial to the landowner as well as to the local governments. |
Insurance |
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Proof of liability insurance should be required to be presented when purchasing vehicle licenses. We support increased fines for failure to carry proper liability insurance. We favor raising minimum automobile liability coverage to 50/100/50. An insurance company should be required to notify the insured party of any liability claim paid on their behalf. A person who lends a vehicle or machine to another individual without compensation should not be held liable for damages caused by the vehicle or machine due to the negligence of the borrower.
The workers compensation law should be changed to simplify the admissions process and allow up to 72 hours for authorization in cases of emergency.
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Judicial/Law Enforcement |
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There should be limitations on lawsuits, both on what may constitute a lawsuit and on monetary awards that can be sought. Plaintiffs and their attorneys should be liable for the defendant’s legal fees if a jury finds a lawsuit without grounds or if the prosecuting lawyer handles the case on a contingency fee basis. Medical malpractice should be limited to $250,000 for non-economic awards. Lawyer contingency fees should also be limited. In order for a civil court suit to be settled out of court, it must be done before a jury is called. Once the jury is called and an expense to the county is created, the decision should be in the hands of the court. Should an out of court settlement be made after a jury is called and before that jury has reached a verdict, the plaintiff should pay for the cost of the court. We support strict enforcement of criminal laws, especially DUI and controlled substance laws. Certain violent crimes warrant the death penalty. Juveniles should be responsible for their actions when laws are broken and/or property is destroyed. We support rehabilitation centers such as the STAR Academy for Youth near Custer. Individuals who distribute misinformation concerning detrimental effects of agricultural products should be held responsible for their actions. The Right to Privacy Law should be rescinded for prison inmates. Victims and their families should be notified before parole or release of the criminal from a correctional facility. Innocent victims should be protected by authorities requiring adequate bond payments and suspects being held the proper length of time before being released on bail. Alternatives to conventional prisons are appropriate for certain non-violent crimes. These could include electronic monitoring, heavier fines, and longer loss of privileges. A portion of the tax derived from liquor sales should be paid to counties for public defense expenses in DUI cases. We support enforcement of age requirements for admission to theaters and renting of videos based on the movie rating system. The sale and distribution of hard core pornography should be prohibited.
Farm Bureau favors inmates doing constructive work in the community. |
Labor |
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We favor retaining the Right to Work section of the State Constitution. We oppose mandatory workers compensation for farm employees.
Farm Bureau opposes teacher continuing contract clauses. |
Land Ownership |
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We support action to return to the State of South Dakota all federal land within the state’s boundaries, except as specified in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. We call upon the S.D. Legislature to fulfill these constitutional duties. Any proposed sale or transfer of land to an entity of state or federal government must be given public notice for three consecutive weeks with a three month waiting period before condemnation, sale, or transfer occurs. The person renting the land must be notified in writing at least two months before a deal is closed. If the state government acquires additional property from the private sector, it should be required to release like amount into the private sector, either by sale or termination of easements. We oppose the purchase of private land by state or federal agencies with the intent of bartering with ranchers who lease government owned grazing lands. Any land acquisition by state or federal government must be approved by the S.D. Legislature.
No trades should occur involving state lands that would place such state lands into Federal Government ownership or control. |
Land Use |
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Farm Bureau encourages counties to form Public Land Use Resource Committees to maximize local input into policy making and lawmaking involving state and federal land in their county. Farm Bureau supports continued research at SDSU in the monitoring of overland and subsurface flows for water quality and sediment reduction. SDFB will work with SDSU and DENR to share informationand develop arealistic definition of minor drainage that protects the environment and minimizes the economic burden on production agriculture. We support efforts to reduce excess water levels so farms can once again operate and the annual cost of road repairs can be reduced. There should be no public access on flooded private land without landowner or operator permission. Farm Bureau favors a system under which environmental regulatory authority would lie with the state, while control of ag zoning would stay with the counties. We oppose ag zoning ordinance authority for townships, except for townships within 4 miles of a municipality of 50,000 or greaterpopulation. We believe land use is the right and responsibility of the individual landowner. Whenever land use decisions are made, the rights of individual property owners should be given the highest consideration. We oppose the state imposing any wetland regulations more stringent than federal wetland regulations. Farm Bureau favors the right to buyback conservation easements at change of ownership or a renegotiation of the easement every 30years. Farm Bureau opposes the creation of mandatory buffer zones along waterways in the state.
We support the concept of trading pollution credits between farmers in an effort to limit overall non-point source pollution in a given watershed.
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Livestock Identification/Theft Protection |
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We support strengthening the SD Animal Industry Board's ability to deal with animal disease outbreaks and food safety issues. We support a national animal identification system sign-up remaining voluntary on the state level. Farm Bureau supports the brand inspection program in west river South Dakota and supports administration by the S.D. brand board. All brand inspection fees shall be used solely for and by the S.D. brand board for the brand inspection program.
We oppose any effort to legalize freeze brands for ownership identification. |
Mineral Rights |
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We believe when mineral rights are separated from the surface landowners, these mineral rights should be taxed. The tax should be subtracted from the landowner’s property tax. If the mineral taxes are not paid for three years, the mineral rights would be offered to the landowner for payment of back taxes, thereby clearing title to the mineral rights. |
Natural Resources |
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Farm Bureau supports the changes in wetland mapping conventions and minimal effects that make S.D. more consistent with the original intent of swampbuster and neighboring states. We favor the development of a state management plan for the Topeka Shiner that contains sound conservation practices and protects the rights of property owners as a method for eventual delisting. We favor delisting the Topeka Shiner from the ESA list. We oppose the “no net loss” policy for wetlands.
Farm Bureau opposes any expansion of present wilderness areas or the establishment of any new wilderness areas in the State of South Dakota. Farm Bureau supports legislation to prohibit the introduction of any endangered species into South Dakota. |
Property Rights |
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Farm Bureau opposes the condemnation/ eminent domain of land for any purpose other than highways and such public utilities that benefit the majority of the public. Eminent domain should not be abused for public recreational facilities or private economic development. Farm Bureau supports the passage of private property rights legislation which directs the Attorney General to do an assessment of the impacts of rules, regulations and/or laws and which provides compensation for “takings.” |
Railroads |
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We support railroad upgrade projects. A commitment of service to agriculture must be made. Railroads must put forth their best efforts to address local concerns such as safety, noise, and adjoining landowner issues. Farm Bureau urges S.D. law be changed to limit time to 10 minutes for a train-blocked crossing, except for emergency vehicles, which must have access as soon as possible. Farm Bureau supports the reverting of abandoned railroad beds and rights-of-way back to adjacent landowners. When abandoned railroad beds go to public use, the adjacent landowners should be exempt from all liability incurred by the public use of former railroad property.
The State of South Dakota should not enter into any perpetual easements concerning abandoned railroad rights-of-way. |
Religious Life |
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We oppose actions preventing free distribution of copies of the Bible. We believe it to be man’s inalienable right to worship God, to offer prayers and to read the Bible as God’s Word in private and public places, including classrooms. The necessary steps to reestablish the right to offer voluntary prayers in public schools should be supported at both state and national levels. This will perpetuate the principles on which this nation was founded. |
State Government |
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South Dakota Farm Bureau supports creation of an indemnity fund to help protect grain producers when a grain handling facility is insufficiently bonded. We ask the S.D. Legislature to eliminate the inaccurate percentage relationship between claimed and unclaimed gas tax refunds from the statute and use an accurate formula for conservation funding. Farm Bureau supports an across the board spending freeze on state government, with adjustments for inflation. Farm Bureau favors the philosophy of privatization in county and state government. Privatization of certain government functions will reduce spending, lower the number of employees, be more effective and save tax dollars. We oppose state ownership or operation of ag processing plants for any reasons other than research or market development. State government must provide funding for any state-mandated changes of local government. All state agencies should reevaluate all travel and vehicle requirements and enforce existing policies regarding personal use of state-owned vehicles. All surplus monies above the reserve designated by the legislature should be automatically returned to county governments using the current distribution formula for property tax relief. Farm Bureau favors a requirement that all boards at the state and federal level which regulate agricultural policy contain at least 51 percent membership that is involved in agriculture production or the agricultural industry.
We recommend existing laws governing special taxation districts be changed to allow a one-fourth or larger part of a district to petition out, if a number equal to 10% of the people who voted in the last governor’s race sign the petition. The county commissioners would set up the election instead of the special taxation district which would stop any discrimination in a small area. A simple majority of voters from that portion wishing to petition out would free that portion of the district.
Farm Bureau favors state legislation to regulate loan rate charges that are made by lending institutions not regulated as banks, credit unions or farm related lending institutions. The State Fair management is making an effort to revitalize the S.D. State Fair. We ask the state government to provide funding and other support for the benefit of the S.D. State Fair. In view of the fact that 4-H youth spend much time observing at the fairgrounds, all state sanctioned gambling should be banned on the state fairgrounds. Gambling should be allowed only on the original reservation treaty lands and not on Indian Trust Land. Farm Bureau supports the repeal of video lottery. Until accomplished, we also support a moratorium on any increase in new games and number of machines in casino gaming pending a study of the social impact it has on the state, i.e., law enforcement, rehabilitation, etc. Farm Bureau favors an increase of at least an additional 5% of the video lottery revenues for the state and supports an additional 10% of the gross revenue from video casinos be returned to the state. The state portion should not be used for promotion of gambling. SDFB supports using a portion of the tax on alcoholic beverages and revenues from gambling to increase funding to finance the rehabilitation of alcoholics and addicted gamblers, and address other problems directly attributed to alcohol and gambling. Farm Bureau favors allowing volunteer ambulance services to operate in communities of fewer than 3,500. Bonding requirements for auctioneers and clerks should be adequate to protect the seller. We support a single tax rate for auction sales to eliminate confusion in the clerking process. Farm Bureau supports state government’s design and construction efforts to increase the maintenance free lifespan of South Dakota highways. |
Taxation - Fuel |
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Farm-to-market roads are important to South Dakota agriculture. We support the effort to improve highway funding in South Dakota by a combination of (1) increasing license plate fees, (2) increasing the tax on gas/diesel, (3) establishing the same tax rate for all road fuels, and (4) increasing the excise tax on vehicle purchases. Such a proposal will allow the existing tax methods and distribution of those funds to continue as it is done currently so that the state, cities, counties, and townships will share in the increased revenue. SDFB supports removing the use of gas tax funds for boat ramps, park roads, snowmobile trails, etc. Park and user fees should be used to fund these items. We favor continuing the per-gallon road usefuel tax rather than other forms of taxation to finance state highway maintenance and construction.
Fuel taxes should be collected at all retail outlets on all fuel sold for road and highway use. |
Taxation - General |
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Farm Bureau’s goal is reduced spending by state and local governments. We support a concept of tax limitation. We would support an increase in the state sales tax rate to offset a corresponding reduction in real property taxes. We oppose a personal property tax. We support repeal of the contractors excise tax. Farm Bureau supports a per-drink alcoholic beverage tax to be assessed and collected at the wholesale level and distributed on a county population basis to assist with costs of law enforcement and incarceration. All tobacco products should be taxed at the same rate.
All telecommunications companies doing business in South Dakota should be taxed. |
Taxation - Real Property |
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Municipalities that own income producing real property should be required to make property tax payments. Actions that would remove land from the tax roll must receive a majority approval of the county commission. Notification must also be given to the township chairman in any affected township. Land to be purchased, sold or transferred should be publicly advertised and a bid process enacted. Farm Bureau supports the interpretation of real property as land and permanent structures only. The assessed valuation of ag land should reflect the land’s ability to produce under natural conditions and should be adjusted on a regular basis. SDFB supports legislation that will allow counties to equalize tax assessments and use any measure of productivity in addition to the soil survey to calculate assessments.The practice of “neighborhooding” in specific geographic areas within a county should be substantially weighted and at least equal in influence with the soil survey. The formula for arriving at taxable value for land should be written in layman’s terms. This formula should be sent to landowners along with tax notices. Farm Bureau opposes any attempt to raise the tax rate per $1000 of value on ag land to equal that on non-ag land for school purposes. The $10,000 homestead exemption should be increased to $50,000 for ag structures. Public lands should be taxed as if that land were owned privately. The U.S. Government should pay the tax with no fee increase to the public land user. Church property that generates income should not receive preferential tax treatment. Property owners who have been wrongfully assessed taxes should receive compensation from their county. This compensation should include all expenses incurred through the appeal process. Township boards should be given more time to have the tax assessments records in order to make their recommendations on valuations to the county assessor. We urge a return to the law that assessors be reappointed every five years. |
Taxation - Sales |
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We support collecting sales tax on internet and catalog sales, clothing and food. Farm Bureau supports legislation that would tax advertising.
We oppose sales tax on feed, seed, fertilizer, and ag chemicals. Sales tax should be removed from veterinary supplies. City sales tax should not be charged on machinery, repairs, building materials and veterinary supplies used by farmers. We oppose a county sales tax. We oppose cities or school districts having extra sales tax for the support of schools. Cities should not be allowed to put sales tax receipts in their general fund for property tax relief |
Taxation - Severance |
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We are opposed to any tax on water usage, including irrigation. If a water usage tax is necessary, it should be applied to all water users, including domestic, city, industrial and agriculture. |
Trespass Laws |
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We support broadening the present trespass law under which all land is off limits unless permission is granted by the landowner or operator, to include private land in the Black Hills fire protection district. We favor increased fines for violators. The trespass and use policy for school and public lands should release the lessee of all liability. |
Water Resource Development |
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We favor revising the S.D. Vested Drainage Rights law to include new drainage and previously undiscovered drainage systems. We favor a credible data law to govern total maximum daily load regulations. Farm Bureau is opposed to legislation creating drainage districts within water development districts. County government should have authority in their county. We support state and federal legislation that will positively affect domestic water development in our state. We should work closely with and lend our support to the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems to effectively promote and secure water for all South Dakota communities with a need for a dependable source of water. People who benefit from water projects should pay for those projects. Funding of water projects should be determined in accordance with the direct benefit. We oppose any new taxes for water development. We urge proper procedures be undertaken to ensure Missouri River Basin water rights for the people of South Dakota. The state legislature should continue efforts to upgrade the existing water management plan and municipalities and communities should work with the legislature toward this end. We feel the state should enact its own 401 and 404 drainage permit in the Clean Water Act.
Farm Bureau supports legislation that the transfer of water rights for a change of use be reviewed as a new application and given a new priority date. |
Weed & Pest Control |
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Farm Bureau supports strict enforcement of weed control laws with a goal of eradicating primary noxious weeds, e.g. musk thistle, Canada thistle and leafy spurge. S.D. Dept. of Ag budgets should allow utilizing area supervisors to assist counties in the enforcement of the state Weed and Pest Law. County weed supervisors need to be more aggressive in enforcement and in reporting weed infested CRP acres to the FSA. We encourage streamlining the process for noxious weed control so the time period from complaint to action can be shortened.Weed control requirements on local, state and federal government lands should equal those required of private landowners. We support placing the mountain pine beetle on the South Dakota pest list.
We favor action by the state to adopt state emergency powers on federal lands in instances where the federal government fails to act in the best interest of South Dakotans relating to fire prevention or pest and disease prevention. |
Welfare |
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Farm Bureau supports a mandatory random drug-testing program to be eligible to receive welfare benefits. There should be little or no welfare allowed for a person who is capable of but not willing to assume a job. We are opposed to persons on strike being eligible to receive food stamps or state unemployment benefits.
Farm Bureau urges strict enforcement of the law to prevent the use of food stamps to purchase nonessential food items or to obtain cash over one dollar. |
