80th Legislative Session _ 2005

Committee: House Commerce
Thursday, February 24, 2005

                                            P - Present
                                            E - Excused
                                            A - Absent

Roll Call
P    Boomgarden
E    Bradford
P    Elliott
P    Faehn
P    Hunt
P    Krebs
P    Kroger
E    Pederson (Gordon)
P    Schafer
P    Street
P    Willadsen
P    Rounds, Vice-Chair
P    Sebert, Chair

OTHERS PRESENT: See Original Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Chair Sebert.

MOTION:     TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 22, 2005

Moved by:    Hunt
Second by:    Willadsen
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

         SB 121: revise the authority of the Public Utilities Commission to approve the sale or transfer of telecommunications exchanges and to revise the provisions concerning the obligation of telecommunications companies to report consolidations, mergers, and changes to control.

Presented by:    Representative Tim Rounds


Proponents:    Darla Pollman-Rogers, SDTA
        John Smith, PUC attorney
        Bill Dougherty, Qwest

MOTION:     DO PASS SB 121

Moved by:    Hunt
Second by:    Schafer
Action:    Prevailed by roll call vote.(11-0-2-0)

Voting Yes:    Boomgarden, Elliott, Faehn, Hunt, Krebs, Kroger, Schafer, Street, Willadsen, Rounds, Sebert

Excused:    Bradford, Pederson (Gordon)

MOTION:     PLACE SB 121 ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Moved by:    Willadsen
Second by:    Krebs
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

         SB 139: establish certain requirements for insurance policies covering certain long- term care services.

Presented by:    Senator Ben Nesselhuf
Proponents:    Dick Gregerson, Amer Council of Life Insurance
        Ellen Blauert, Division of Insurance

Randy Moses, Division of Insurance, answered questions from the committee.

MOTION:     AMEND SB 139

139jb
     On page 1, line 13 of the Senate engrossed bill, delete " or renewed " .

Moved by:    Hunt
Second by:    Willadsen
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

MOTION:     DO PASS SB 139 AS AMENDED


Moved by:    Hunt
Second by:    Krebs
Action:    Prevailed by roll call vote.(10-1-2-0)

Voting Yes:    Boomgarden, Elliott, Faehn, Hunt, Krebs, Kroger, Schafer, Street, Rounds, Sebert

Voting No:    Willadsen

Excused:    Bradford, Pederson (Gordon)

SUMMER STUDY DISCUSSION

The chair opened the meeting to discussion on possible summer study topics. The committee discussed past topics that have come out of the Commerce Committee.

Representative Faehn mentioned that an issue they will be facing even more in the future is the limited number of land lines available for electronic/cellular communications in this state. He does not see this as an issue for summer study at this time, but perhaps in the near future.

Representative Willadsen thought that the number of uninsured motorists in this state should be looked at and how that number can be reduced. Representative Rounds added that there are a number of insurance issues that need to be studied, such as minimum rates and the liability issue. The committee agreed that these topics should be combined and submitted for further consideration as one summer study topic.

Representative Boomgarden pointed out that the Alumni Associations in this state could work more closely with economic development in South Dakota, especially promoting smaller communities, and perhaps some type of incentive program could be put together regarding this. The committee agreed that this topic should be submitted as a possible summer study topic.

Representative Rounds brought up the two bills that came before the committee regarding the wineries in South Dakota and the fact that the liquor codes are antiquated and perhaps should be looked at more closely. Representative Faehn added the point that it is difficult in most communities to get a liquor license and perhaps adding licenses and tying them to non-smoking establishments could be studied. The committee agreed that all of these liquor topics could be combined into one summer study topic.

The committee agreed that those three topics will be written up and submitted to the Executive Board for consideration.
    

MOTION:     ADJOURN



Moved by:    Hunt
Second by:    Faehn
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

Cindy Tryon

____________________________

Committee Secretary
Lou Sebert, Chair


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