South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s (R) bills to limit the authority of Department of Game, Fish and Parks officers has hit some mixed resistance. The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the bill to keep officers from entering private property without permission, but the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted to approve Noem’s proposal to stop officers from seizing hunting or fishing equipment.
Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (SD-R-5) called the bill to limit officers’ access to private property “a slap in the face of conservation officers.” However, the bill could be revived by a smoke out that requires one-third of the Senate’s support. The department currently has a policy of not allowing officers on private property without permission unless they have reasonable suspicion a crime is happening.
The bill to allow officers from taking hunting or fishing equipment from people violating the law was sent to the full Senate, where it will face a hurdle before heading to Noem’s desk.
