We are one week away from the session’s end, and we are seeing a few games being played.
HB198, known as “no cell from bell to bell,” lost in my education committee 8-7. Immediately after it lost, a member wanted it reconsidered, as she stated she had an amendment. (Which turned out to be a gutting of the bill and putting in charter school language). The vote to reconsider lost. The main sponsor of the bill was the Senate Pro Tem, and he requested that it be smoked out on the House floor, which we did. It was a long debate of pros and cons, and it ended up losing anyway. I voted in favor of the ban because the committee tactic was unfair to the bill in the first place. That said, I am totally aware that a law will only be as strong as those enforcing it, as well as those abiding by it.
I am told that most schools have a cell phone policy already. After checking with students in a variety of schools, I learned that many are allowed to use them between classes and at noon. I worry about bullying that may take place via texts during those times. I realize, though, it is not my lane in which to be. Students confirmed that those texting between classes are frequently tardy.
On the upside, many good things got accomplished this week. Victim Services (safe houses for victims of violence) scored a win and will be given grant money to continue these services. Southeast Area Tech in Sioux Falls was also approved for grant money to increase the size of its welding program. Currently, they have room for only 23 students, but room is needed for 80. As the industry is growing around prominent areas across South Dakota, more welders are needed; thus, the Legislature approved the expansion.
The highlight of my week is having the Appropriations Committee and the Senate pass my bill, HB1262, which was a grant request for infrastructure money to start a regional behavioral learning center in Aberdeen. With an emergency clause on the bill, due to an appropriation request, 2/3 of the members had to vote in favor in each chamber. We should be able to get this up and running within the year. I mentioned this bill last week, and I want to remind the reader that it will be a day center. Finally, we are going to address mental health at an early age!
HB164 requires that any holder of a commercial driver’s license MUST be proficient in the English language. This is a safety matter. If a foreigner is driving a truck, he/she needs to be able to read highway signs and alerts, especially road conditions and weather warnings. This bill is a safety feature for both the commercial driver and for other travellers.
SB131, which was passed by both chambers, provides for a special hunt for disabled vets and Purple Heart recipients. A non-profit organization has agreed to host the hunt. What a great opportunity to be able to get outdoors and enjoy a hunt with other disabled veterans across the state! By the way, Clark hosts a similar one for disabled youth, and it is such a yearly success.
As we get ready for the B-21 Bomber to come into Ellsworth Air Force Base, we know that great needs have to be met regarding much work on roads and streets in that vicinity. This will take both time and money, but we are so fortunate to have this base in our state. To me this is an accurate example of economic development. It is viable and stable. Years ago, I would not have said so; in fact, some of you probably remember there was talk of closing the base. Our national delegation went to work to make certain this did not happen! We have conquered that hurdle and have done nothing but prosper at Ellsworth. I am excited about its continued future success.
Discussions over the property tax issue continue. As it is seen in such a different way with higher inflation in some areas than others, it is hard to get a streamlined plan put into place. SB96, the Goverfnor’s plan, would let counties and residents have control over their own tax reduction plan. Each county would have varying revenue replacements depending on their county levies. This plan may be combined with another one to make it better; my fear, though, is that some legislators will try to insert their ideas into it (such as opt-outs or grocery tax elimnation), and then we will end up with bits and pieces of nothing. Sound like D.C. package deals? I hope that we are better than that.
Our team, Rep. Van Diepen, Senator Wipf, and I, will strive to keep working hard to serve you as we head into the last week and beyond. The hours will be long, but we will end the week with a balanced budget!
For now, God bless and have as good a week as you would like.
Rep. Greenfield
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