Radio Update Report 6:30 pm (audio) 2-02-2010
Air Date:02/02/2010
State lawmakers are looking at changing the way agricultural land is assessed. Today the house taxation committee voted on a measure that would allow for untilled grasslands, no matter the soil type, to not be taxed as crop land. Representative Kristi Noem of Castlewood is in favor of the bill. Representative Kristi Noem of Castlewood supports the idea. According the Noem, "I think this is responsible legislation that allows them to look at that land objectively."
However Michael Kenyon of the Department of Revenue spoke against the measure, saying land assessors already have the ability to determine if land is untillable.
The bill passed - it next moves to the floor of the House of Representatives for further consideration. Also being looked at in Pierre, a bill that allows spouses, children and siblings of certain members of the armed forces who died in military services to be eligible for a gold star license plate. Last year legislation passed to enable parents and spouses to receive the gold star license plate - this year's bill expands the law. Senator Cory Brown is a veteran and recently lost a friend who was a navy pilot. Sentor Brown explained to the committee the importance of the bill. Committee members also discussed including step-children in the legislation and say that may be something brought up next year. The measure passed out of committee.
To download audio click here http://www.sdpb.org/media/statehouse/STHS020210updatepm.mp3
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