To the Editor:

Before voting on Referred Law 21, know that this law is a creation of Pierre politicians and the mega-businesses they serve.


Landowners who have been fighting for fair treatment, as afforded to them under current laws regarding eminent domain, were not allowed to participate in the drafting of this so called “Landowner Bill of Rights.”


We did not have a seat at that table.

This bill is being falsely promoted.
Instead, RL 21 was promoted as something it is not. Supporters claim it is a bill of rights for landowners, when in reality, it largely restates what is already law and repackages protections landowners already have.
 RL 21 will concentrate power in Pierre and erode our ability to govern ourselves locally.


If it passes, three commissioners get to decide who gets control of your land. Any local rules or ordinances relating to hazardous pipelines will have no legal legs to stand on, because supporters of RL 21 believe Pierre knows best on how we in local communities and other places want to live.
 Under RL 21 the PUC does not have to even consider local rules, regulations or ordinances relating to hazardous pipelines in our communities. This is offensive.

PUC commissioners did not ask for this change and did not request this power to undermine every county in South Dakota.
 It’s been long understood that the Pierre political machine only cares about padding their own pockets, but enough is enough.
 RL 21 is bad for local control and bad for you.

Kevin Roseland
Redfield