South Dakota
Why SD’s property rights fight matters for all Americans
At a time when federal overreach seems to creep further into the lives of everyday Americans, South Dakota has drawn a bold line in the sand: private property rights are not up for negotiation.
Summit Carbon Solutions attempted to use eminent domain to force carbon pipelines through private property across the state. In November 2024, through a 60/40 ballot initiative, the people pushed back, choosing to protect private property and rejecting the idea that the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission should have the authority to override the will of landowners and local control.
Shortly after, lawmakers followed with decisive action. South Dakota Representatives Karla Lems, R-16, and Mark Lapka, R-23, carried HB-1052, a bill that explicitly banned the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline construction. As Lapka put it, the bill was an effort to restore “constitutional certainty and security of property ownership in South Dakota.” It passed, and with it, a national precedent was set that our most sacred rights would not be infringed, and they would hold steady in the protection of private property.
But the fight didn’t end there. The carbon capture and transfer controversy recently reignited, this time on the federal level.
On May 18, in Washington, D.C., language buried deep in H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and within the Fiscal Year 2025 budget (CR 14), threatened to undo every inch of ground gained. In Section 41006 was a provision, hidden under the guise of speeding up infrastructure permitting reform, that would have stripped state and local authority over pipeline construction across the board, including those for carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and petroleum.
Worse still, it included a $10 million “expedited review” fee, giving corporations a fast-track lane for license permitting for construction projects, and a clause that would have overridden local and state law entirely, opening the door for land condemnation by the federal government. Essentially, if a federal license was granted, it would override any law on the books.
Thankfully, the effort didn’t go unnoticed. After several days of debate, thanks to the resolve first demonstrated in South Dakota and the vigilance of landowners, advocates, and principled leaders across the country, Section 41006 was completely removed before H.R. 1 passed the House on May 21. This cemented a win for property owners, local control, and states’ rights, and the bill will now be considered before the Senate.
I applaud Congress for its diligence in consideration and debate of this huge bill. Moreover, I thank those across the country who helped bring this issue to light before it was too late. We must continue to heavily monitor the legislative branch of our federal government and hold it accountable on every issue.
This issue will be back, perhaps under a different name or a different section, but with the same goal. South Dakota proved that when citizens and lawmakers stand together, liberty holds the line, but we cannot afford to fall asleep at the wheel.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Rhoden officially signed HB 1082 into law on Friday, March 27.
HB 1082 is a bill that establishes parameters for reimbursing school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.
Representative Kadyn Wittman, who has worked to pass the bill for several years, expressed excitement and gratitude in a post to Facebook on Friday.
“10,000 kids across our state will now have access to free school meals. No stigma. No barriers. Just the support they need to learn and grow,” wrote Wittman.
“So incredibly grateful to everyone who made this happen. This is a big win for South Dakota families!”
You can see the full bill and its sponsors here.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Students at South Dakota Mines heard Wednesday from retired four-star general Maryanne Miller about her journey to the highest ranks of the U.S. military.
Miller is a retired four-star U.S. Air Force general. She is the only member of the Air Force Reserve ever to be promoted to this level.
She spoke about finding greatness and living a life of fulfillment. Her stories came from her time in the Air Force and as a volunteer for Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity.
“We so much get focused on what is our next step in life, what’s the next career move, how do we make ourselves better in our career, and we forget about how do we make ourselves better as a human being,” Miller said. “Because they have to go tandem. If it’s not tandem, you’re going to get off track.”
Miller was commissioned in 1981 and rose through the ranks before becoming a four-star general in 2018. She was the only woman serving as a four-star officer in the military at the time. She retired in 2020 after serving for almost 40 years.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
USDA to offer distaster assistance to South Dakota agriculture producers impacted by winter storms
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering financial and technical assistance to South Dakota farmers and livestock producers who may have been impacted by the recent winter storms.
“I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.” said Richard Fordyce, Production and Conservation Under Secretary.
FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners with financial assistance to restore damaged land and conservation structures or forests.
“Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages and develop methods that focus on effective recovery of the land.” said Jessica Michalski, Acting NRCS State Conservationist in South Dakota.
For more information about the disaster assistance program, click here.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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