Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee advances veterans bills, tables one

The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee advanced several veterans-related measures on a unanimous voice or roll‑call vote Thursday, sending four bills to the Senate floor and tabling one for further work.

The committee approved Senate Bill 35, a Department of Veterans Affairs request aimed at protecting veterans’ certificates of discharge. "The main purpose of the proposed change to statute is just to ensure that veterans discharge documents are protected," Deputy Secretary Aaron Pollard told the committee, explaining the change would restrict access so discharge records are available to next of kin only when the veteran is deceased and otherwise require veteran permission or documented representative authorization. Senator Howard moved a "do pass" recommendation; the roll call recorded five ayes (Blanc, Hone, Howard, Marty, Zickman). Chair announced SB 35 will go to the floor and be placed on consent.

The committee also approved Senate Bill 132, which clarifies the role and membership of the South Dakota Veterans Council and requires quarterly consultation between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the council. "SB 132 does not request, create, or allocate any funding," Anna Arnold, president of the South Dakota Veterans Council, told members, urging the committee to restore a formal advisory role for veterans. Marty Pennock, vice president of the Veterans Council, said the bill replaces permissive language with a requirement that the department "shall" consult quarterly. Senator Howard moved the do‑pass recommendation; the motion carried unanimously and the bill will go to the floor on consent.

Senate Bill 131, which would align the fee‑exemption for nonprofit special pheasant hunts for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients with the private shooting preserve season (Sept. 1–Mar. 31), also received committee support after proponents described operational and financial burdens created by the current calendar limitation. Bruce Weller, operator of Wings of Valor Lodge, said the lodge runs roughly 14 weekends and "we will have served over 750 disabled veterans" this season, and that purchasing preserve licenses for late‑season hunts imposes additional costs on nonprofits. The committee voted to send SB 131 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation.

Senate Bill 173, which would extend an existing motor vehicle and motorcycle licensing fee benefit for a veteran with a disability to that veteran’s spouse, was tabled at the sponsor’s request to allow further work with stakeholders, including the Department of Revenue and veterans’ groups.

The committee also amended and approved House Bill 1080, allowing a veteran who owns a business to display one set of authorized military specialty plates on one noncommercial vehicle registered to that business. Tim Rice, the bill’s sponsor, said the amendment clarifies the intent and codifies current Motor Vehicle Division practice. Rosie Ager, director of the Motor Vehicle Division, said the department already supports the approach in practice and stands by the bill.

Committee action and next steps: SB 35, SB 132, SB 131 and HB 1080 received do‑pass recommendations and will move to the Senate floor (the chair indicated these items will be placed on consent). SB 173 was tabled to the 41st legislative day at the sponsor’s request so authors can refine the language and coordinate with agencies.

Votes at a glance:
- SB 35 (protect discharge records): Moved by Senator Howard; seconded by Senator Blanc. Vote: Blanc, Hone, Howard, Marty, Zickman — 5 ayes. Outcome: Passed in committee; to floor (consent).
- SB 132 (South Dakota Veterans Council): Moved by Senator Howard; seconded by Senator Hone. Vote: Blanc, Hone, Howard, Marty, Zickman — 5 ayes. Outcome: Passed in committee; to floor (consent).
- SB 131 (special pheasant hunts exemption timing): Moved by (unnamed committee member); seconded by Senator Howard. Vote: Blanc, Hone, Howard, Marty, Zickman — 5 ayes. Outcome: Passed in committee; to floor (due‑pass recommendation).
- SB 173 (extend vehicle licensing fee benefit to spouse): Motion to table carried (mover and second recorded in committee). Outcome: Tabled to 41st day.
- HB 1080 (veteran plates on business vehicle): Moved by Senator Howard; seconded by Senator Blanc. Vote: Blanc, Hone, Howard, Marty, Zickman — 5 ayes. Outcome: Passed in committee; to floor (consent).

Questions and outstanding issues: Committee members raised procedural and definitional questions during testimony. Notably, members asked why SB 131’s amendment changes the disability standard language from a Social Security 40% benchmark to a VA 40% rating. Proponents said the change aligns eligibility to VA adjudication; Representative Tim Goodwin suggested the House can amend the language if needed and the committee agreed to follow up with the Legislative Research Council for clarification.

The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.