Urgent: Support Land Rights; Speak Out in Support of HB1052

By January 23, 2025South Dakota

“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” -American Patriot, Patrick Henry

HB1052 is a good bill that will “prohibit the exercise of eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon oxide.” This will not stop landowners from signing easements with the pipeline company if they wish. However, the pipeline company will not be able to serve eminent domain papers to landowners who do not want this hazardous pipeline on or near their land, home, school, business, etc.

HB1052 will be heard in the House State Affairs Committee tomorrow, Friday, January 24.

HB1052 is in direct response to RL21 which the voters of South Dakota rejected 41% to 59% on the November 2024 ballot. Voters clearly rejected SB201 which the legislature passed last year. It would have usurped the safety ordinances and setbacks that counties put in place, thus taking away our local control. 

Our South Dakota Constitution assures our rights to “acquiring and protecting property”:

  • 1. Inherent rights. All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting property and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Our U.S. Constitution states in Amendment V, “No person shall . . . be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law: nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.”

Again, HB1052 will be heard in the House State Affairs Committee tomorrow, Friday, January 24.

You may read more about this issue in our fall newsletter here.

ACTION: Please contact your two Representatives and urge them to vote YES on HB 1052. If you don’t know who your two representatives are check here. Be sure to let them know that you were informed by Concerned Women for America of South Dakota.

PRAYER: Father, we thank You that You allow us to be citizens of the United States where we are free and have the opportunity to acquire property. Land is important to You. You gave Your children of Israel parcels of land that were passed down to their heritage. We are blessed. Amen.