The amendment changed the document from an introduced bill to an enrolled resolution by adding legislative certification signatures and adoption dates, and made a minor formatting correction (changing "pollinator-1 friendly" to "pollinator-friendly"). This shift reflects the normal legislative process without substantively altering the bill's purpose of encouraging voluntary monarch butterfly conservation efforts in South Dakota.
26.816.16 26.816.17 101st Legislative Session SCR605 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Concurrent Resolution 605 Introduced by: Senator Wipf Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. ENROLLED AN ACT A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the significance of the monarch butterfly 1 and encouraging cooperative, voluntary conservation efforts in South Dakota. 2 WHEREAS, in 2025, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the 3 monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species 4 Act; and 5 WHEREAS, the monarch butterfly is a widely recognized and iconic species that contributes 6 to pollination and the overall health of natural ecosystems; and 7 WHEREAS, monarch butterflies depend upon milkweed plants, which are the only plants 8 on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs and upon which monarch larvae feed; and 9 WHEREAS, habitat loss, including the decline of milkweed, has contributed to reductions 10 in monarch butterfly populations; and 11 WHEREAS, lands used for agriculture, transportation rights-of-way, and state 12 management can, when appropriate, provide habitat beneficial to monarch butterflies while 13 continuing to serve their primary purposes; and 14 WHEREAS, conservation efforts are most effective when they are voluntary, cooperative, 15 and respectful of private property rights and agricultural operations; 16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the One Hundred First Legislature 17 of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the 18 Legislature recognizes the importance of the monarch butterfly and supports voluntary 19 conservation practices that are compatible with agriculture, roadside management, and state 20 land management; and 21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature encourages state agencies, local 22 governments, and other land managers to preserve existing milkweed where practicable, and 23 26.816.16 26.816.17 2 SCR605 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. SCR605 ENROLLED when undertaking restorative or conservation plantings, to prioritize the use of pollinator-1 friendly pollinator-friendly native seed mixes that include milkweed species, consistent with land management 2 goals and available resources; and 3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature urges federal agencies, including the 4 United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, to 5 work cooperatively with South Dakota landowners, producers, and state agencies in 6 implementing monarch butterfly conservation efforts; and 7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that cooperation in this endeavor should emphasize voluntary 8 participation, technical assistance, and flexibility, and should avoid unnecessary regulatory 9 impacts on agriculture and land use in South Dakota. 10 26.816.17 3 SCR605 SCR605 ENROLLED Adopted by the Senate, January 28, 2026 Concurred in by the House of Representatives, February 25, 2026 _____________________ _____________________ Chris Karr Peggy Laurenz President Pro Tempore Secretary of the Senate of the Senate _____________________ _____________________ Jon Hansen Patricia Miller Speaker of the House Chief Clerk of the House