South Dakota Bicycle Coalition

Last week SB 70 took quite a ride through the Senate Transportation Committee, but has landed on the Senate floor.

After more than and hour of lively discussion Wednesday morning, the committee voted against passing the bill. The audio (.mp3) includes testimony from two SDBC board members and several South Dakota cyclists; plus, the senators’ questions on and feedback against the bill.

Wednesday morning’s 3-4 vote tabled the bill.
Yays: Fryslie, Hanson (Gary), Maher
Nays: Kloucek, Vehle, Schmidt, Howie

By that afternoon Sen. Frank Kloucek apparently changed his mind, opening the door for Sen. Sandy Jerstad, bill sponsor, to move, from the Senate floor, that the bill be delivered for discussion. The Transportation Committee reconvened and ultimately voted 4-3 to deliver the bill “without recommendation.”

Yays: Fryslie, Hanson (Gary), Maher, Kloucek
Nays: Howie, Schmidt, Vehle

Thursday, SB70 was delivered to the Senate floor. On Friday, Sen. Jerstad tried to push the bill along on the floor, asking to change the committee’s “without recommendation” to a “do pass” and that the bill be considered immediately. However, the motion was deferred and will now be considered by the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 16.

Here is the important bottom line: If Sen. Jerstad’s motion prevails, it’s likely the bill could come up for Senate vote shortly after.

Now is the time to contact all the senators and let them know that as South Dakota cyclists we’d really like to see this bill pass the Senate. If you have already done this consider a shorter note indicating, even after the week’s events, you still support them in supporting SB 70.

Monday is a the Presidents’ Day holiday, a day off for legislators. Tuesday’s Senate session begins at 2pm. Phone calls can go to the Capitol Building and messages will be delivered to the Senators.

Please help in the effort to pass the 3 Feet Please bill.

Who are my legislators?

A list of all the senators with direct contact information.