ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)-  On Thursday, the South Dakota Senate Commerce and Energy Committee passed SB201 on a 7-2 vote. SB201 would allow state government the potential to override ordinances set by either city or county governments.

Brown County Commissioner Drew Dennert, who testified against the bill reacted to the decision made by that committee.

Dennert talks about the amendment that was added to the bill just prior to the start of the hearing.

Prime sponsor of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree called this a compromise.  Commissioner Dennert commented on that.

Summit Carbon Solution had issues with the setback ordinances that in place in four counties.  Brown County was among them.  Dennert talked about the ordinance that was in place in 2022 and the change that was made in April of 2023.

Dennert discuss what PHMSA(Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) allows the counties to do.

Three years ago, the South Dakota House tried to pass HB1093 which would allow the state government to limit what cities can do during the course of a pandemic.  Governor Noem didn’t shut down the state but a number of cities including Aberdeen did shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19.  Commissioner Dennert was a South Dakota legislator at that time & was in favor of this bill.  Dennert explain the vote then and compares to what’s happening today.

The bill has an emergency clause in it would require a 2/3 majority to pass the Senate(24 out of 35 votes), Dennert talks about why he believes that was placed into the bill.

No date has been set for a vote in the South Dakota Senate.  Crossover day is Wednesday, February 21 where bills starting in their chambers must either pass or fail by that day.