SB131 allows nonprofit organizations to host free pheasant hunts for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients during South Dakota's private shooting preserve season. The bill defines "disabled veteran" as someone with at least a 20% service-connected disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs or who receives a specific level of VA compensation. The Game, Fish and Parks Commission will write the specific rules for how these special hunts operate.
The amendment NARROWS the eligibility criteria for disabled veterans to participate in special pheasant hunts by removing a separate category for 40% disabled veterans who served in reserves or the National Guard, keeping only those with 20% service-connected disability or Special Monthly Compensation Level K status. This change makes the program more restrictive by eliminating access for a broader class of disabled veterans.
The amendment clarifies that special pheasant hunts for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients may only be held during the private shooting preserve season (rather than before or during the regular pheasant season), which NARROWS the hunting window available for these veterans. The amendment also reorganizes and slightly refines the definition of "disabled veteran" for clarity, with no substantive change to eligibility criteria.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 550
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 520
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
Signed by the President S.J. 505
Senate Concurred in amendments Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 479
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0. H.J. 489
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0. H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Motion to amend H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 261
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 213
Military and Veterans Affairs Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 0.
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing
Senate Referred to Senate Military and Veterans Affairs S.J. 121
First Reading Senate S.J. 112
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Concurred in amendments
Do Pass Amended
Military and Veterans Affairs — Do Pass Amended
Do Pass
Military and Veterans Affairs — Do Pass