South Dakota Farmers Union members are backing legislation intended to compensate landowners for damages done by oil and gas well drilling and mineral development. Farmers Union Legislative Director Mike Traxinger says they’re supporting Senator Larry Rhoden’s SB 170 which has passed the Senate and is now in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He says that’ll come up either Wednesday or next week.
Traxinger says as the South Dakota legislature winds down, his group is also monitoring budget discussions and watching possible funding for needed agricultural programs.
He says Farmers Union also supports the Animal Cruelty measure which passed the Senate and is now in the House Judiciary Committee with a hearing on it expected next week.
