ÿþ <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>South Dakota Association of Cooperatives</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" background="images/vbackground.gif" text="#000000" link="#993300" vlink="#993300" alink="#999999" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#660000"><img src="images/spacer.gif" width="4" height="1"></font></td> <td valign="top"><img src="images/spacer.gif" width="6" height="1"></td> <td valign="top"><p><img src="images/spacer.gif" width="2" height="8"><br> </p> <p><br> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="1" height="6"><br> <a href="index.html"><img src="images/buttonhome.gif" alt="Home" width="160" height="37" border="0"></a><br> <a href="concentration.html"><img src="images/buttonconcentration.gif" alt="Areas of Concentration and Membership Benefits" width="160" height="37" border="0"></a><br> <a href="objectives.html"><img src="images/buttonobjectives.gif" alt="Objectives and Governance" width="160" height="37" border="0"></a><br> <a href="links.html"><img src="images/buttonlinks.gif" alt="Resources and Links" width="160" height="37" border="0"></a><br> <a href="members.html"><img src="images/buttonmembers.gif" alt="Information for Members" width="160" height="37" border="0"></a><br> <a href="newdirectororientation.html"><img src="images/buttondirectororientation.gif"alt="Co-op Director Orientation Manual"width="160"height="37"border="0"></a><br> <a href="contact.html"><img src="images/buttoncontact.gif" alt="Contact Information" width="160" height="37" border="0"></a> </p></td> <td valign="top"><img src="images/spacer.gif" width="16" height="1"></td> <td valign="top"> <p><img src="images/bannermembers.gif" width="330" height="28" border="0" align="right"> <br clear="all"> <br> <font size="-1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <img src="images/sdaclogo800.gif" width="800" height="187"> <p><img src="images/headingmemberinformation.gif" width="300" height="28"><br> <br> <!-- Put text after this --> <b> 2012 Legislature is in Session!</b> <p> It was an active week of committee and floor hearings. All 469 bills that were introduced as of last week s deadline will be heard in committee to determine if they move ahead through the process or not. Many committees will see full schedules in the coming week as bills need to be acted on prior to Crossover Day (the day that a bill has to be passed through its house of origin) February 14th. </p> <p> As noted in last week s update, the SD Cooperative Telephone Association and Rural Electric Cooperative Association have developed two pieces of legislation that will have a positive impact on cooperatives and our producer members. </p> <p> SB 103 propose to reduce the advertising requirement to mirror the obligations of the State Treasurer s Unclaimed Property division when advertising unclaimed property. The bill was amended in committee to further reduce the advertising requirements to one week. Supported by SDAC, SB 103 passed Senate Energy and Commerce on a vote of 6-0 and the Senate by 33-1.</p> <p> SB 123 will revise how the taxes are applied to rural electric companies. SD s rural electric cooperatives are proposing to replace the GRT (gross receipts tax) with a kilowatt hour (kWh) tax. SB 123 passed out of Senate Taxation 6-1. Ruled that a two-thirds vote of the Senate floor was needed for the bill to move forward, SB 123 passed the Senate 25-9.</p> <p> HB 1116 allows for the exemption of the sale of straw, corn stover and bean straw used for livestock bedding from sales and use tax. Audits performed by the SD Dept of Revenue have been assessing back taxes on livestock operations using straw for animal bedding. Strongly supported by the agriculture industry, HB 1116 passed House Taxation Committee 11-4 and the House floor 52-11. HB 1116 now moves to the Senate for action.</p> <p> HB 1003 which revises the limitation on the increases and decreases that may be made to the total taxable value of cropland and noncropland passed Senate Ag and Natural Resources 9-0 and the Senate floor 30-5. HB 1003 now heads to the Governor for his signature.</p> <p> HB 1011 will define domestic use of water in statute passed the Senate Ag and Natural Resources 9-0 and now awaits Senate floor action.</p> <p> HB 1037 which expands the purpose of the agriculture mediation program by allowing the SD Department of Ag to include the ability to provide mediation to persons or organizations seeking to mediate disputes with federal land management agencies concerning decisions made by those federal agencies. HB 1037 passed the House floor on a vote of 69-0 and awaits a hearing date in Senate Ag & Natural Resources.</p> <p> Many agriculture organizations, encouraged members of the Senate and Natural Resources Committee to send SB 129 to the 41st legislative day (the 2012 Session only has 33 legislative days). SB 129 sought to severe water rights from the land.</p> <p> HB 1078 will allow structures or facilities previously used as a grain elevator to be classified as agricultural property. The bill passed House Taxation and was amended on the House floor. The bill now reads: In addition to any building or structure classified as agricultural property pursuant to § 10-6-33.33, any structure or facility previously used as an elevator for the storage of grain on nonagricultural property shall be classified as agricultural property if:</p> <p> (1) The property is owned by a person engaged in the production of agricultural crops;</p> <p> (2) The owner does not derive any income from fees for storing crops or rent;</p> <p> (3) The owner stores agricultural crops in the structure or facility; and</p> <p> (4) The owner does not load and transport any agricultural productsonto a train from the structure or facility.</p> <p> HB1070 gives the Animal Industry Board rule-making authority to determine which animals coming into the state need to bring along a Health Certificate. Coming about as the result of those participating in dog shows, the change could allow for better management of  same production system livestock crossing state lines. HB 1070 passed the House Ag and Natural Resource Committee on a 13-0 vote and placed on the consent calendar for the House floor where is passed 67-0.</p> <p> For those of you who have inquired about HSUS s activities  they held their legislative day on Wednesday, February 1 and it was a very quite gathering, by accounts on their website, there were eight HSUS representatives in attendance. Earlier this year they were unable to secure the introduction of two bills due to lack of interest by the legislative body.</p> <b> Bill List& </b> <p> HB 1001 revise certain provisions regarding the sales and use tax. Passed the House floor 64-0. HB 1003 revise the limitation on the increases and decreases that may be made to the total taxable value of cropland and noncropland. Passed Senate floor 30-5.</p> <p> HB 1011 revise the definition of domestic use of water. Passed Senate Ag Committee 9-0. HB 1013 repeal certain obsolete statutes regarding the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Passed Senate floor 35-0.</p> <p> HB 1037 revise the purpose of the agriculture mediation program. Passed House floor 69-0. HB 1038 increase the penalty for leaving the brand inspection area without necessary inspection and authorization. Passed House floor 60-4.</p> <p> HB 1057 revise certain provisions concerning the manner in which county wheel taxes are imposed. Passed House floor 60-9.</p> <p> HB 1070 revise certain provisions relating to the certificate of health requirement for the importation of animals. Passed House floor 67-0.</p> <p> HB 1074 exempt certain counties from restrictions relating to the taking of muskrat. Tabled in House Ag 10-0.</p> <p> HB 1080 waive certain licensure requirements to hunt fox and coyote with firearms. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1081 revise certain provisions relating to the killing of any mountain lion to protect human life, livestock, or pets. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1082 provides certain exceptions to Department of Game, Fish and Parks promulgated rules pertaining to the taking of mountain lions. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1083 to provide for term limits for brand board service. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1084 revises the political qualifications for brand board membership. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1085 revises the residency requirements of the brand board membership. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1087 limit the terms of certain conservation easements. Hearing set for Feb. 7 in House Ag.</p> <p> HB 1102 provide for a study of the feasibility of establishing an equine processing facility and to make an appropriation therefor. House Ag sent to the 41st day 10-2.</p> <p> HB 1116 exempt bedding used for agricultural purposes from sales and use taxes. Passed House floor 52-11</p> <p> HB 1164 appropriate money for the repair of state-owned dams managed by the Office of School and Public Lands and the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. Sent to the 41st day by Senate Appropriations.</p> <p> HB 1166 require the departments of Agriculture and Game, Fish and Parks to provide certain actions and funding specified in the South Dakota black-tailed prairie dog conservation and management plan. Passed House Appropriations 9-0.</p> <p> HB 1210 exempt certain livestock entering the livestock ownership inspection area from ownership inspection requirements.</p> <p> HB 1237 assess agricultural land based on its actual use. Hearing set for Feb 7th in House Taxation. HB 1240 separately classifies, assess, and tax agricultural land that is leased for certain purposes that restrict the use of the land.</p> <p> SB 37 makes an appropriation from the coordinated soil and water conservation fund to the State Conservation Commission and to declare an emergency.</p> <p> SB 45 appropriate additional funds and to extend the availability of appropriations to replace storage facilities at the Cottonwood Agricultural Experiment Station. Passed Senate Appropriations 7-0. <p> <p> SB 49 revise the property tax levies for the general fund of a school district. Senate Appropriations hearing deferred.</p> <p> SB 129 provide for the severance of certain water rights. Sent to the 41st day by Senate Ag Committee. SB 160 create the North Central Water Development District, to provide for the appointment of the board of directors, to establish certain property tax levy limitations, and to revise the boundaries of the James River Water Development District. Hearing set for Feb 7th in Senate Ag.</p> <p> SB 169 create certain watershed districts. Hearing set for Feb 7th in Senate Ag.</p> <b> Detailed information on each of the bills listed can be found by going to http://legis.state.sd.us</b> </h2> <b> Upcoming Meetings</b> </h2> <b> NCFC Meetings</b> <p> April 26-27, 2012 NCFC Executive Council Meeting Phoenix Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. </p> <p> June 20-22, 2012 NCFC Washington Conference Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.</p> <b> SDAC MEETINGS</b> <p> March 8-9, 2012 - SD Co-op Managers Spring Meeting - Ramkota - Sioux Falls SD</p> <p> March 20-21, 2012 - ABC Conference - Crossroads - Huron SD</p> <p> September 20-21, 2012 - The Lodge of Deadwood - Deadwood SD</p> <!-- Put text before this --> </td> <td><img src="images/spacer.gif" width="20" height="1"></td> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#660000"><img src="images/spacer.gif" width="4" height="1"></font></td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>