After the fourth week is over and the submission deadline is behind us, 508 bills, resolutions and commemorations for the 96th legislature have to be worked through.
As you’d expect, most of these never become law, and for the most part that’s a good thing. It is also good that, unlike Washington in South Dakota, each of them is given a hearing and a chance to be considered. I’m the main sponsor of three bills at this session and thought I’d share a little about each one.
HB1087 is a bill that allows people over 60 to hunt deer with a crossbow during the archery season. Statistics show that archery hunters abandon the sport as they age. Drawing a bow, getting in and out of trees, and other typical archery requirements become more difficult and dangerous with age. This change would give these hunters more time to enjoy the outdoors and the sport they love, while continuing to mentor the next generation.
HB1200 is an attempt to increase the availability of affordable housing. Currently, every new build pays a 2% excise tax on the total cost of a house or project. According to this calculation, the first $ 150,000 for building new homes would be tax-free. This would cut the cost of a home by up to $ 3,000 – and any home under $ 240,000 in construction costs (excluding lot costs) would result in tax savings. More expensive houses would pay more than they do now, so the total amount the state receives remains unchanged. The aim is to lower the cost of a starter home, save young families real money, and encourage builders to focus on affordable housing. I like this approach because it doesn’t add a government program – or staff – or increase compliance costs for builders. The best part is that 100% of the savings go to the buyer.
HB1201 would allow local control of the video lottery. Video lottery is the most dangerous form of gambling there is. It creates problematic gamblers in a fraction of the time that traditional casino gambling does. Video lottery casinos are also identified as the most likely location for drug trafficking by addicts – and based on my observations, video lottery casinos are the most likely location for an armed robbery. It has long been known that crime and drug use increase near gambling centers. In South Dakota, these hubs are in every city and in almost every C-store. Our neighboring states are not doing this because they looked at us and saw the damage. We should all have the right to choose what kind of community we want to live in. This bill would give local citizens the right to vote on the issue and decide whether or not video lottery is allowed. For me I’d rather live somewhere without it.
In service to God and you
John Mills, District 4 representative, [email protected] OR [email protected]