SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A bill introduced by the Governor's office to address public safety concerns, similar to those experienced in North Dakota by Dakota Access pipeline protesters, was watered down in the House State Affairs Committee today.
House Speaker Mark Mickelson of Sioux Falls says the amendment removes the authority of the governor to declare a public safety zone and an emergency. Mickelson says that's what most of the concerns were over, "kinda the unbridled power of the executive."
However, Mickelson says, it still makes an intentional trespass a class one misdemeanor.
Mickelson says Governor Daugaard has has the benefit of talking with the North Dakota governor and asking what they might have done differently in handling the month's-long sit in and protest.
Mickelson says when law enforcement arrests people on a class two misdemeanor trespass they get an equivalent of a speeding ticket and they're back out on the line. A class one trespass may come with some jail time.
The bill still includes an emergency clause. One of the governor's policy advisors, Matt Konenkamp, says the state doesn't expect any protests with the Dakota Access pipeline but it does have information that a protest could be brewing over the Keystone XL oil pipeline.