There are a few times when you breathe a collective sigh of relief out here in Pierre, when a bill is hog housed and two days later a potential to bring that bill back in a different committee lingers, we tend to get a little edgy. When we get through committee in the morning and that bill has not been brought back, that sigh happens. Almost unanimously. We still have a chance to see a hoghouse come back but for now we have it beat.
Another relief came today when the Governors blender pump incentive bill came through Senate State Affairs committee with only one dissenting vote of nine. In that same committee, we were fortunate to have a wind advisory panel created. Our friends and partners at the Wind Energy Association also backed this bill, and thanks to them we are have moved past the first step of completing the panel. It is important for us to work with all industry partners on key issues, the wind industry is one that we relish the opportunity to work with all sides as we look to grow our renewable portfolio.
At the same time and in a different committee, another hog housing took place. An act to repeal the tax exempt status of non-profit organizations underwent the hog house knife and became a bill to repeal exemptions pertaining to ink, paper, and advertising. This bill did pass out of committee.
Tomorrow we have 3 bills concerning the land valuation methodology in Senate Ag. We also have an intriguing bill regarding the hunting of prairie dogs, which will be heard in House Ag. At noon I will head to Aberdeen for our annual convention. I encourage all to attend.
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