PIERRE, S.D. – Before a legislative committee hearing set for today (Feb. 27) in Pierre, a South Dakota Brand Board member says he wants an explanation as to why neither himself or the brand board as an agency had been contacted by those who have brought legislation to Pierre to change how Brand Board members are selected, citing problems with the agency that aren’t being addressed as the reason.
Scott Vance is a Perkins County rancher and the longest-serving member on the current brand board.
“I want to get the truth out there,” said Vance. “Rep. Liz May (R-Kyle) has yet to contact Debbie Trapp, our executive director at the brand board, myself or others on the brand board regarding issues brought forward during the introduction of this bill.”
He countered claims from Rep. May and some members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) that auction markets and brand owners are lodging complaints with the brand board and are not being heard.
“I am a brand board member selected to represent the South Dakota Livestock Marketing Association and the SDSGA. With the exception of a contact from a livestock auction owner in 2022, I had not been contacted with complaints by market owners or SDSGA members.”
Rep. Liz May, R-Kyle is the sponsor of HB 1201 that would change the selection process of brand board members to an election rather than the current appointments that are first recommended by stakeholders across the state, presented to the governor for consideration and then presented and approved (or challenged) by the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Under the bill that is set to be heard Monday before the Senate State Affairs Committee, the number of five board members would increase to seven from different regions of the state, elected by brand owners from that region for three-year terms.
The bill is in response to complaints of a backlog in brand registrations, poor treatment by brand inspectors and inspectors not being paid. Vance acknowledges the backlog, saying the brand board is working through those. He refutes that inspectors are not being paid and says the isolated instance of mistreatment from a brand inspector was resolved with the inspector being fired.
“Liz has legislation to fix a problem without first holding discussions with the agency that is administering the state brand program,” Vance said.
He doesn’t want the Monday hearing to go forward without addressing what he calls misrepresentation and exaggeration by those proposing HB 1201. “I question the actual percentage of people who are complaining. Is it really a majority of brand owners or is it one squeaky wheel?”
He encourages producers to contact members of the Senate State Affairs Committee and their district representatives.
Listen to Scott Vance Interview
Also See: Ranchers say they are waiting for months for brand registrations
