(The Center Square) – South Dakota lawmakers agreed to a trio of bills dubbed a “Landowner Bill of Rights” that sponsors said would protect landowners from pipeline companies that wanted to build in the state.
Senate Bill 201 would allow the South Dakota Public Service to supersede county and municipal zoning laws deemed “unreasonably restrictive.” Counties could collect a $1 surcharge per linear foot of carbon dioxide pipeline in their county.
The bill passed the House and Senate last week but was sent to a conference committee to hammer out the differences. Both chambers approved the bills after debates on Wednesday.
Rep. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, said the bill is a problem for South Dakota citizens and landowners.
“These people don’t want money,” Frye Mueller said. “They want to be left alone. They want their property rights that are enshrined in our constitution and all that you guys are doing is
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