PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee killed a resolution today (Tuesday) that would have created an interim legislative committee to study preservation efforts in the Black Hills.
House Concurrent Resolution 6010, which proposed establishing a committee to evaluate regulatory provisions for development in the Black Hills, failed on a 4-3 vote to send the measure to the 41st day.
Rep. Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, who introduced the resolution, cited burgeoning development as the primary concern.
“With still being able to go up into the Black Hills and find a place of solitude and quiet, rather than have the whole thing begin to resemble the Front Range areas around Denver. It’s happening very quickly right before our eyes,” Odenbach said at 6:43.
The resolution sought to examine residential construction, mining industries, and government-sponsored economic development plans in the Black Hills region.
Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, supported the resolution, citing concerns about unchecked growth.
“The number one complaint that I did hear over and over again while the previous governor was governor, and I was campaigning was, just tell her to stop begging people to move here,” Howard said at 12:08.
Numerous local government officials testified against the proposal, arguing that existing county and municipal regulations adequately address development concerns.
Lawrence County commissioner Eric Jennings opposed the measure, saying local governments already have comprehensive planning.
“I’m a firm believer that future land use should be decided on and governed by the people who live and make their living in the area, not by those who enjoy the occasional visit,” Jennings said at 20:03.
Sen. Randy Deibert, R-Spearfish, presented resolutions opposing the measure from seven counties, cities, and economic development organizations in the Black Hills region.
“These local governments have the unique perspective and experience in managing the Black Hills, including economic development and mining,” Deibert said at 23:34.
Garth Wadsworth with Elevate Rapid City warned that limiting housing development could worsen affordability problems.
“Further restricting the supply of housing would have resulted in steeper increases in housing prices in the last five years had we not done anything to address them,” Wadsworth said at 30:10.
Sen. Tom Pischke, R-Dell Rapids, chaired the committee meeting where, despite the resolution passing the House 60-9, two representatives who had previously supported it changed their positions when testifying in opposition.
Sen. Helene Duhamel, R-Rapid City, who motioned to kill the resolution, criticized the proposal’s scope.
“It’s like me and others wanting to study and micromanage Sioux Falls growth because of the falls. Or any community that lives along the Missouri River,” Duhamel said at 45:39.
Sen. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, defended the resolution, arguing that West River concerns often get overlooked.
“East River is so heavily weighted that a West River summer study almost never happens,” Jensen said at 43:49.
The committee’s vote sends the resolution to the 41st day, effectively killing it for this legislative session. However, the legislature’s Executive Board will decide which subjects will be summer study topics later this spring.
