A bill that would seek to control the number of people that could protest on public land was Friday by the South Dakota Senate.

SB176 would only allow twenty people on any tract of public land in the state. The bill is aimed at the large type of demonstrations that took place in North Dakota over the Dakota Access pipeline.

Senator Neal Tapio of Watertown says the state can’t afford a costly demonstration and clean up…..

Senator Al Novstrup of Aberdeen says the state needs to protect its public lands…..

The conference committee report was approved on a vote of twenty-five to fifteen. It now goes back to the House for a final vote.