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their hearings before crossover day. A bill that stuck out to me this week was HB 1105 an act to restrict contracts and declarations that prohibit the use of commercial property for any healthcare service in municipalities and townships with populations of less than three thousand, in medically underserved areas, or in areas with a medically underserved population. This bill is important for our small communities andtheirfutureopportunitiesto provideneededservices.Ifoneof our local nursing homes closes this bill would restrict the seller fromlimitingfutureuses.While my hope is that no more of our nursing homes will close but if one does, I will hate to see the building sitting empty limiting opportunities. Another highly discussed bill was HB 1209 an act to require employment verification eligibility through the e-verify program and to provide apenalty.Weallwantemployees to be legally working; this bill ensures verification.
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This past week we hit the halfway point in the 101st Legislative Session which means as you’re reading this article we now are in the last week before Cross-over day. Most Committees are sitting pretty well except for Health and Human Services and State Affairs which will be holding morning and afternoon meetings this week. Hey, good news. Revenues are in and we have an additional 30 million dollars of extra one-time money to spend. As we look at the budget this will make a big difference. I try not to get excited about the budget this early in the Session because things change so fast, and until we have all the information, it’s best to let the Appropriators do their work. Let’s talk about what the Floor looked like this past week. We heard some big bills which always means a lot of debate and usually good information even though I realize when you’re watching it seems too much. I should report on HB 1105 and I’m happy to say it passed off the Floor 45 to 20 and is on its way to the Senate. This bill will help protect medical facilities, including nursing homes in small communities, from being sold with a 40 year non-compete clause. We also passed a bill to allow communities to issue a license for a Cigar bar if they so choose along with back filing some appropriation bills, we do every year. It wasn’t really that exciting this past week, but we took care of business that we need to every year just to operate. I want to thank my Intern Tristen Petrik for helping me out last week with this column and I hope you enjoyed it. The Budget will now become one of the highest priorities for the House as we get closer to the end of Session. It’s important that we get this right because it’s a lot of money and we don’t have any extra. I’m hoping to have good news next week that we’ll have some room to move on the big three, CSP’s, teachers, and of course our state employees. The Governor vetoed HB 1077 last week and it’s hard for me to understand since he is a rancher and ag producer. I believe you have the freedom to eat what you want but I also think this bill protects ag and our number one industry. I’ve made my opinion clear to Governor Rhoden and will vote to override the veto if given a chance. I believe there is a chance in the House but not the Senate so it’s up to the bill sponsor on whether to pursue it. The Data Center bills are getting heard and voted on also and many will be this week. I still don’t know if they are good or bad for South Dakota but as I’ve stated, I won’t vote to give them a sales tax break. I believe in the Free Market, and they can start their businesses like everyone else, but we’ll see how it shakes out. Property tax reform seems to be a big conversation this year, and it should be, a lot of Legislators have Ideas along with the Governor, but I haven’t seen one yet that doesn’t shift on to ag. That’s about it for this week, I hope you’ve enjoyed the nice weather and you’re staying healthy. Thanks to everyone who attended the Crackel Barrell’s on Saturday in White Lake, Corsica, and Platte, it’s always fun to sit down and visit with the bosses and answer your questions. If you need to reach me my number is 605-680-0304 or email me at Marty. overweg@sdlegislature.gov.
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We are officially into the second half of this legislative session. With Monday being President’s Day, we are officially closed, so our week will only be 4 days. They are predicted to be long days with committee meetings in the morning, floor session in the afternoon, and a continuation of the morning committee meetings after that.
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When I was in medical school, I learned that a shocking number of people would die or be admitted to a nursing home after a hip fracture.
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ANDES CENTRAL CELEBRATES LOCAL LEADERS
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The 101st Legislative session is now over halfway finished with the completion of week five. A number of property tax bills have been discussed. Senate Joint Resolution 504 wouldexplicitlyallowwagering on sporting events on mobile and electronic platforms. The best time to do this would have been even right after the SupremeCourtrulingallowing wagering on sports in 2018. The next best time would be right now. Ninety percent of the proceedsfromalltaxesimposed on wagering on sports through a mobile platform would be used to reduce property taxes. Allowing Freedom is a better way to reduce property taxes than cutting services or raising taxes on others.
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Hey everyone, it’s been a busy week up here in Pierre. This week is our only 5-day week of the session and the most chaotic so far. Because of the busyness and chaos, I have decided to let my intern, Tristen Petrik from Platte, write my article this week about what’s been going on in Pierre. As always, feel free to contact me anytime. My number is (605) 680-0304 and my email is Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov Hello esteemed constituents of District 21! My name is Tristen Petrik, and I have the honor of working as Rep. Overweg’s intern this session. I am from Platte and currently am a sophomore at SDSU where I study criminology and sociology with minors in legal studies and ag business. I hope to someday go to law school but where is undecided yet.
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PART ONE: HOW ADULTS’ MODEL & THE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH
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