The 2019 South Dakota legislative session got underway this week. State Farmers Union Lobbyist Mitch Richter says this session they’re focused on measures to help farmers and ranchers with their rising health care costs, getting higher blends of biofuels approved and having the state establish a farmer suicide hotline.

He says with a new Governor and many new members of the legislature it’ll take a time to get legislation moving.

Richter says they are looking forward to working with the new lawmakers.

Richter says they’re also excited about working with Governor Kristi Noem because they had a good relationship with her when she served in Congress.