“Comprose bill” on CO2 pipelines passes SD Senate without emergency clause (Audio)

February 22, 2024

PIERRE, S.D.–It took a procedural rule to pass the “compromise” carbon dioxide pipeline bill in the Senate Wednesday.

The original bill contained an emergency clause, which would have made the bill law immediately upon the governor’s signature, and it would have blocked the law from being referred by citizens.

The bill came up one vote short of receiving the necessary two-thirds vote for the emergency clause. However, under Senate rules, if a bill requiring a two-thirds vote fails but gains a simple majority, it can be immediately reconsidered without the emergency clause.

Without the emergency clause, the bill passed and now goes to a House committee.

The bill would no longer allow local governments from setting setbacks on carbon pipeline projects. It would also require carbon pipelines to pay counties they run through one dollar per foot of pipeline.

Bill sponsor, Republican Majority Leader Sen. Casey Crabtree from Madison.

Bill opponent, Republican Sen. Brent Hoffman from Hartford, disagreed about taking setback control away from local governments.

The measure now heads to a House committee.