This week South Dakota Senators approved SB 136 which changes the property tax assessment on buffer areas within 50 feet of lakes, rivers and streams to non-cropland status. South Dakota Stock Grower’s Executive Director Silvia Christen says her group backs the measure.

She says the legislation is a common sense measure that rewards farmers and ranchers for doing the right thing.

Christen is hoping the solid support the bill received in the Senate will carry over to the House and lead to its approval there.

Christen says SB 136 received unanimous approval both in committee and in the full Senate this week.