SD Farm Bureau Health Benefit Plan Moves Forward, Additional Bills Monitored

A bill allowing South Dakota Farm Bureau to provide a health benefit plan to members passed the Senate on Wednesday. Farm Bureau state lobbyist Michael Held says this plan isn’t considered insurance. “It would be a full wide range of benefits. It’s scheduled to be heard in the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday.” That’s not the only legislation being closely watched. Held says there are a number of property tax bills being watched in the Senate. Farm Bureau is also watching the discussions on the merger of the South Dakota Agriculture Department and Department of Natural Resources. “SDFB has been the lead agricultural group in getting legislative acceptance. We have not seen a resolution of disapproval written yet.”