House rejects resolution urging president not to use eminent domain in South Dakota
February 05, 2025 | 2025 Legislative SD, South Dakota
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The South Dakota House of Representatives on a 34-33 vote declined to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 6,004, a nonbinding measure asking President Donald Trump to refrain from exercising federal eminent domain power in South Dakota.
Representative Dennis Malawi moved adoption of the resolution, saying it urged the president to “resist any pressure to exercise federal eminent domain power in the state of South Dakota.” Malawi framed the measure as a response to county votes and recent state legislation, saying affected landowners “would like to have it expressed very strongly in the opposition of the eminent domain, and taking private property for private gain.”
Representative Scott Shorma opposed the resolution on the floor, calling it unnecessary and “just redundant,” and questioned whether a federal actor would act contrary to South Dakota’s decisions. The debate included floor procedure and brief remarks on the underlying concerns about property rights.
After the roll call the clerk reported ayes 34, nays 33, excused 1; the speaker declared the Malawi motion lost.
Because the resolution was nonbinding, the vote did not change state law; it was a statement from the chamber. No committee referral or implementation steps followed the vote.
Votes at a glance: HCR 6,004 — motion to adopt failed, ayes 34, nays 33, excused 1.
The House then proceeded to other business on the calendar.
Representative Dennis Malawi moved adoption of the resolution, saying it urged the president to “resist any pressure to exercise federal eminent domain power in the state of South Dakota.” Malawi framed the measure as a response to county votes and recent state legislation, saying affected landowners “would like to have it expressed very strongly in the opposition of the eminent domain, and taking private property for private gain.”
Representative Scott Shorma opposed the resolution on the floor, calling it unnecessary and “just redundant,” and questioned whether a federal actor would act contrary to South Dakota’s decisions. The debate included floor procedure and brief remarks on the underlying concerns about property rights.
After the roll call the clerk reported ayes 34, nays 33, excused 1; the speaker declared the Malawi motion lost.
Because the resolution was nonbinding, the vote did not change state law; it was a statement from the chamber. No committee referral or implementation steps followed the vote.
Votes at a glance: HCR 6,004 — motion to adopt failed, ayes 34, nays 33, excused 1.
The House then proceeded to other business on the calendar.
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