Landowner Bill of Rights LIE
Written for the High Plains Journal
There is a growing number of people in the state of South Dakota who have determined they have been lied to and lied to in a big way. We just completed a “South Dakota is not for Sale” rally in Pierre on the banks of the Missouri River. I decided to organize this myself because I have been a part of a tremendous number of property rights meetings in SD in the past year but there has been one voice vacant. That is the voice of the original SD residents - the American Indians.
Nearly 200 people assembled on a perfect evening the sun began to set in the West as if to shine a light on our path. Bruce Whalen from the Ogallala Sioux and Chief Phillip Whiteman, Jr of the Northern Cheyenne addressed the crowd. Afterwards, many told me the passion and sincerity of their words really touched those in attendance.
I honestly felt it was important to have the Indian community present because who better understands the lies of government about “the land” and the blatant misrepresentation of signing a treaty that is not at all what they were told it was?
For those that may not know, on March 7, 2024 the SD legislative body passed a bill named SB 201 which they called “The Landowners Bill of Rights.” Blatant lie. The “Bill of Rights” is all about protecting citizens from an overbearing government, this bill, which has not yet become law, removes the control of the local government. Here is language from the bill:
SD Public Utilities Commission shall be the permitting authority on CO2 transmissions lines.
A permit for the construction of a transmission facility within a designated area supersedes and preempts any county, township, municipal, or any other governmental unit land use, zoning, or building rule, regulation, or ordinance. Any local land use, zoning, or building rule, regulation, or ordinance preempted or superseded under this section is not an applicable rule or law under subdivision 49-41B-22(1). The enforcement of any county, municipal, township, or other governmental unit rule, regulation, or ordinance for a transmission facility permitted under this chapter must be done pursuant to the order of the commission granting the permit.
The supporters of the bill want you to ignore that piece and focus on the government handout portion and how counties and landowners can make the taxpayers of the nation really pay for this.
More language from SB 201 says this:
Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 10-12: A county may impose a pipeline surcharge up to one dollar per linear foot of carbon dioxide pipeline installed in the county, during any tax year that the carbon dioxide pipeline company claims a tax credit pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 45Q (January 1, 2024).
Of course, the fraud of a Governor who has sold out the landowners of SD at every opportunity she has for payment of services instead of doing what she was hired to do couldn’t wait to lie through her fake lips again.
“I stand with South Dakota landowners and always will,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I am looking forward to signing a Landowner Bill of Rights that will provide new protections for landowners and allow for economic growth to move forward through a transparent process.”
Yes, Noem signed this bill but it does not go into effect until July 1, 2024 and there is a pause in that coming. Back in 1898, the State of SD truly put in place a referendum act such that if 5% of the citizens sign a petition before the law goes into effect, the citizens can ask for that measure to come before the entire state in a vote and override the actions of the legislative body. I predict that well in excess of the 5% will be met and this measure will be voted on in the general election in 2024.
I am proud to fight with the citizens of South Dakota in standing up for the land as the creators gift to us to that enables life and not simply another asset listed on the balance sheet of the wealthy who are trying to crush the peasants.