A trio of carbon pipeline-related compromise bills passed the House Wednesday afternoon.
SB201 passed 39 to 31, HB1185 passed 42 to 28, and HB1186 passed 41 to 29.
The debate on the bills was often emotional and pointed at the other side.
SB201 still gives local governments some say over setbacks of lines, but the PUC would have the ultimate say.
HB1185 provides for a $500 fee to landowners when a pipeline of any type wants to perform a survey on property.
HB1186 caps easements for carbon pipelines at 99 years, withdraws the easement if construction doesn’t begin five years after construction or there is a five-year gap in the use of the pipeline. These are part of a so-called “landowner’s bill of rights” enshrined in the bill.
Republican House Majority Leader of Fort Pierre said those who opposed SB201 were for a “do nothing solution” and were more concerned about likes on Facebook.
Some opponents took offense to that statement.
In debate on HB1186, Republican Rep. Liz May from Kyle wondered by some wind easements were for only 48 years, while the carbon bill provided for 99-year easements. Most petroleum pipeline easements are perpetual, according to one pipeline expert SDBA consulted.
“This is a globally centered scheme to reallocate tax dollars,” May, a rancher and business owner, said about HB1186. She said the carbon pipeline projects are jeopardizing the cattle industry by causing an increase in the price of corn that ethanol plants compete for against cattle producers.
Republican Rep. Roger Chase of Huron said the ethanol industry was important to the state and was helping to keep his family on his corn and feeder operation.
Republican Rep. Karla Lems from Canton said the state was “selling out” landowners and the landowner’s rights bill (HB1186) was actually a “pipeline owner bill of rights.”
As of 1:45 p.m., the Senate had not adopted the conference committee reports for the three bills.
Republican Speaker of the House Hugh Bartels of Watertown said the House would take no more votes today. HB1257 on minors and access to online pornography and HB1140 on local governments vetoing local initiated petitions that they believe are illegal or unconstitutional do not yet have conference committee reports.
Thursday is the 37th day of the 38-day session, the last day of the main run of the legislative session. Also, on the calendar Thursday will be consideration of the multi-billion dollar state general appropriation bill.