Gov. Kristi Noem signed an agricultural nuisance bill into law at a ceremony Wednesday at Mitchell-based C & B Operations.
House Bill 1090 restricts nuisance claims to property owners or lessees who have real property within one mile of an agricultural operation.
Noem said agriculture is the number one economic staple for South Dakota and should be protected.
She said farmers and ranchers have a special responsibility to the entire country.
“Because we grow our own food in this country is one of the main reasons why we are still free. Other countries try to control us through many ways, through national security, policy, by also going after our business, stealing our intellectual property," said Noem. "But the one thing a lot of people don’t pay attention to is how important it is that we continue to provide food for our own people that live here in this country. That we do it in a safe way and that we do it in an affordable way so that every family can eat.”
Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden also attended the bill signing Wednesday. He said that HB 1090 will provide one less variable for farmers to deal with.
“There’s so much uncertainty in the world of agriculture whether, you’re a farmer or rancher, faced with floods, and droughts, and disasters and markets. So much of what we do is out of our control. We're taking steps today to limit things that can be in our control and limiting frivolous lawsuits. Our producers should be able to have a certainty that they are not faced with even one more variable in their operations by facing a frivolous lawsuit,” said Rhoden.
Noem thanked Sen. Joshua Klumb and Rep. James Wangsness for championing the bill through legislation.
