PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A bushel of grain producer protection bills got favorable approval by the South Dakota House Monday.  House Bill 1037 comes from the Attorney General’s office and Representative Roger Chase of Huron says the bill will make willful violations of the law punishable as theft.

Senate Bill 35 would increase the civil fines the Public Utilities Commission could levy against a grain buyer Representative Caleb Finck of Tripp says the 50-thousand dollar max fine is still well under that of neighboring states.

Finck says Senate Bill 38 will make it illegal for a grain broker to work with unlicensed buyers.

All four bills gains approval with 63 to 64 yea votes.  H-B 1037 now moves over to the South Dakota Senate.  Senate Bills 35, 38 and 39 have completed their run through the Legislature and are now headed to the desk of Governor Kristi Noem for either a signature into law or a veto