ATVs, smoking tops crackerbarrel conversation

Holly Meyer

All-terrain vehicles and smoking legislation topped the conversation at the third Rapid City crackerbarrel of the 2010 legislative session, although state lawmakers fielded a variety of questions from attendees Saturday during the forum at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Sponsored by the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, the forum’s discussion first turned to ATV legislation during state Sen. Craig Tieszen’s presentation,

in which he discussed SB175, a bill that would change the way all-terrain vehicles are licensed, establish an off-highway trail trust fund and restrict where drivers can ride ATVs.

Tieszen, R-Rapid City, said the legislation comes out of a task force that specifically considered related issues.

Currently, ATVs are licensed like motorcycles, and SB175 would switch that to a process similar to a snowmobile license. ATV users would pay a $20 fee, which would go toward ATV trails.

Tieszen said the state must work with the federal government when it creates a trail system in South Dakota.

The law would also prohibit ATV use on paved roadways, with numerous exemptions, including for agriculture, utility companies, travel between non-contiguous trails and snow removal.

“I am drafting at this moment a snow-plowing amendment,” Tiezen said to a concerned forum attendee whose neighborhood relies on resident-operated, ATV-driven snow plows.  

Licensed ATV use has increased dramatically in South Dakota, with about 17,000 ATVs currently licensed, according to Tieszen. Although ATVs would not be allowed on paved roadways, drivers would be able to use gravel roads and dirt roads.

During his presentation, Tieszen also touched on budget problems facing South Dakota. He anticipated that by the next crackerbarrel on Feb. 27, the public would have a better idea of programs targeted for cuts. Tieszen said that compared to other states, South Dakota fared relatively well.

“We are not -- at least not yet -- bankrupt,” he said.

The smoking discussion at the crackerbarrel stemmed from two audience questions.

The first question singled out representatives Phil Jensen and Don Kopp, who are listed as sponsors of HB1253, which would allow citizens to vote to allow smoking in certain establishments under certain conditions.

Jensen, R-Rapid City, said he did not realize what the bill was about before he signed it.

“I will not support the bill. It will die in health committee; I can guarantee that,” Jensen said. “I will put myself in the timeout chair shortly.”

And that is what Jensen did. He walked away from the podium, took a chair to a front corner of the room and sat in it briefly, facing away from the audience.

On the other hand, Kopp, R-Rapid City, said his stance on the bill was based on the rights of business owners and not on health risks associated with secondhand smoke.

“I stand firmly behind the endorsement of that bill,” Kopp said.

The second question, addressed to Kopp about his opinion on HB1163, which allows the transfer of funds from the tobacco prevention and reduction trust fund to the state’s general fund.

Kopp said South Dakota should be able to use tobacco prevention funding from the federal government for the state’s general budget. He doesn’t agree with taxing something out of business for health issues. He suggested a tax on sugar, television and any other unhealthful activity if people wanted a tax on cigarettes for health reasons.

“Where do we end this ridiculous charade with health issues that we’re involved in?” Kopp asked.

Before the open-question section of the forum, Reps. Ed McLaughlin and Lance Russell gave presentations.

McLaughlin R-Rapid City, talked about the education bills he is working on and shared the statistical makeup of the state Legislature and the role of a legislator in South Dakota. McLaughlin cannot seek re-election because of term limits

Russell, R-Rapid City, also discussed the complexity of the state’s budget, sales tax and his HB1205, regarding illegal immigrants.

If you go

The final Rapid City crackerbarrel of the 2010 Legislative session will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Classroom Building. Sen. Gordon Howie and Reps. Don Kopp, Kristin Conzet and Mike Verchio are invited to speak.

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Source: http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_93e83400-1914-11df-a8f9-001cc4c03286.html

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