As state legislators return to Pierre for a new session, residents opposed to using eminent domain for private gain plan to greet them at the capitol, including several from Moody County. A rally was …
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As state legislators return to Pierre for a new session, residents opposed to using eminent domain for private gain plan to greet them at the capitol, including several from Moody County.
A rally was planned for Tuesday, featuring speakers such as District 25 Senator Jon Hansen.
Eminent domain reform is one of the most significant and divisive issues lawmakers will revisit this spring. So far, the only bill addressing it — and the one to watch — is Senate Bill 49.
The debate has dominated state politics for years, as private carbon capture pipeline companies, working primarily with South Dakota’s ethanol industry, propose a network of lines across the state’s eastern half. In November, property owners decisively rejected legislation that would have permitted the use of eminent domain for projects like this.
Last week, Moody County joined a growing list of counties approving resolutions urging legislators to pass eminent domain reform. The resolution calls for prohibiting the practice for companies seeking private gain.
“This is not a necessarily binding resolution; it is an informative, persuasive resolution,” Moody County State’s Attorney Paul Lewis told the commission ahead of the commission’s vote.