KNBN NewsCenter1
January 26, 2021
South Dakota Departments of Game, Fish and Parks
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem introduced two property rights bills related to the Department of Game, Fish & Parks (GFP) on Tuesday.
“So far this legislative session, we’ve taken steps to promote life and liberty. Now, we’re working to defend property rights,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “The two bills introduced today work together to build on GFP’s excellent work to protect property rights and promote trust between conservation officers and South Dakotans.”
The first bill restricts the entry of conservation officers onto certain private land without permission. Under current precedent, conservation officers could enter into open fields without a warrant, though GFP’s department policy prevents this. Similar legislation had been sponsored in the past by Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden during his time serving in the South Dakota state legislature.