The South Dakota House could vote on a measure this week to streamline the county permit and appeals process regarding confined animal feeding operations. Last week, the House Local Government Committee voted 11 to 2 to advance HB 1140 which would condense and expedite appeals and require a $250 bond for each appeal filed. State Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal testified in favor of the bill. He says without the changes, the state will continue to lose livestock operations.
He says the measure keeps the power in the hands of local governments for granting or denying permits.
VanderWal says HB 1140 also eliminates costly and duplicative conditional-use permit delays.
Representative Mark Mickelson of Sioux Falls is the prime sponsor of the legislation which would also allow a county board to make minor changes to a permit without restarting the whole process.
