South DakotaLandowners may burn Missouri River state land with written consent
Landowners beside state land along the Missouri River may include it in a planned burn if they get written approval and provide fire crews and equipment.
What it does
A landowner next to state land along the Missouri River may burn that land with their own, with written approval and a plan to manage woody plants and grassland.
Argument forWith written consent, neighboring landowners could use a planned burn to manage woody plants and grassland on state land beside their property.
Argument againstBecause a landowner must provide fire crews and take all liability, a burn that spreads could leave that person responsible for damage and its costs.
More detail
A landowner may burn state land together with their own after receiving written consent. The state-owned land must border the Missouri River and be next to land owned by the person requesting the burn. The written request must explain that the burn is meant to control or remove woody plants and manage grassland, describe both areas, and give the planned timeframe. The department secretary or commissioner in control of the land must consent in writing and state that the burn is an appropriate way to manage the land. The landowner must have reasonable fire crews and equipment available, follow applicable laws, and take all liability for the burn. The state is immune from liability for it. The law took effect upon passage and approval because it declares an emergency.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 9Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-09 H.J. 534Became Law
- Mar 3Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-03 H.J. 480To Governor
- Mar 2Signed by the President S.J. 434Passed Senate
- Feb 26Signed by the Speaker H.J. 462Passed House
- Feb 25Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0 S.J. 400
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0 S.J. 21Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
- Feb 10First read in Senate and referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 232Minor
- Feb 9House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0 H.J. 264
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0 H.J. 15
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Agriculture and Natural Resources Motion to amend , Passed, H.J. 15 Amendment 1001GMajor
- Feb 5Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
- Jan 13First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 11Introduced
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