This week South Dakota State Senators unanimously approved SB 21 and sent it on to the House for further consideration. The measure brought forward by the State Public Utilities Commission streamlines regulations applied to grain buyers and warehouses. South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson says it makes it easier for farmers who sold grain and suffered a loss to file in only one place for a bond claim.

He says the legislation also puts in place an important exemption for treated seed.

Nelson says besides simplifying the regulations for grain warehouses, it also retains protections for grain sellers.

Nelson adds that anyone selling grain to a warehouse has the right to be paid right away for that grain. He says if there’s a problem, the grain seller should notify the State P-U-C immediately.