House approves amendment clarifying municipal campground expansion approval process

The South Dakota House on Feb. 10 passed House Bill 11‑54 as amended, clarifying how municipal campgrounds and related “tourist accommodation” sites are treated when a municipality builds or changes campground sites.

Representative Bob Bathke, sponsor of the bill, offered Amendment 11‑54E to address concerns raised by the South Dakota Campground Owners Association and to define when municipal changes require approval from surrounding private campgrounds. Bathke said the amendment “returns the private campground approval back to the original 100% threshold” when a municipality is expanding the total number of campground sites. The amendment also clarifies that a municipality need only obtain approval from surrounding private campgrounds when it increases the total number of municipal campground sites; a one‑for‑one swap of tent, camper, or cabin sites would not trigger the approval requirement.

Representative Northrop and Representative Derby offered subsequent amendments (11‑54F was considered and failed), and members debated definitions and scope, especially whether the bill’s repeated use of “tourist accommodation” might unintentionally broaden the law beyond campgrounds. Bathke read a definition on the floor, saying “camping or tourist accommodation facilities” in the bill refers to a municipal campground — “a place you can sleep.”

During floor roll‑call voting (the chamber’s computer system experienced a temporary outage; the clerk conducted a voice/roll call), the clerk later announced the recorded tally as ayes 36, nays 32, excused 1; House Bill 11‑54 as amended was declared passed.

Supporters said the bill addresses a practical problem in local disputes by clarifying the difference between “construction” and “expansion” so municipalities and private campgrounds are less likely to litigate over wording; opponents and some local campground representatives wanted no changes to existing law. The transcript records that the sponsor met with the campground association after committee to reach the amendment language; some campgrounds later expressed continued opposition to any changes. Representative Bathke said the amendment is “just a clarifying” change and urged support. The bill passed the House as amended.