South Dakota Senate Bill SB157

South Dakota 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Exempt municipalities in certain counties from requirements related to municipal campgrounds.

Impact

The proposed bill would significantly impact state laws governing local municipalities' control over campground regulations. Currently, municipalities are required to seek consent from private campground owners before establishing or expanding their facilities if those owners operate within a fifteen-mile radius. SB157, however, eliminates this requirement for municipalities in specific counties, effectively granting them greater flexibility in managing local tourism and recreational needs. This change is expected to stimulate economic development through increased tourism-related activities that could enhance community infrastructures, public revenues, and regional amenities.

Summary

Senate Bill 157 aims to amend existing regulations concerning the establishment of municipal campgrounds within the state of South Dakota. Specifically, the bill proposes to exempt certain municipalities in designated counties from regulations that previously restricted their ability to construct or expand camping and tourist accommodation facilities near existing private campgrounds. This legislative change is intended to enhance local authority and promote tourism by permitting municipalities to develop camping facilities without the constraints imposed by the presence of nearby private campgrounds, provided those campgrounds are equipped with written approval from their owners.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to boost tourism and local economies, it may also spark contention regarding the rights of existing private campground owners. Critics of the bill may express concerns that exempting certain municipalities could lead to over-saturation of campgrounds, potentially compromising the livelihoods of private operators who may see reduced business as local governments expand public accommodations. Furthermore, the bill may be scrutinized for its selective exemption of certain counties, raising questions about fairness and equal treatment of municipalities across the state.