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Proposal to raise weights‑and‑measures fees draws industry pushback; committee defers decision
Summary
The Department of Public Safety asked the House Appropriations Committee to increase inspection fees last raised in 2007. Industry groups — petroleum marketers, agribusiness and contractors — requested additional time to negotiate smaller, phased increases; the committee agreed to defer the bill for further industry‑agency discussions.
The Department of Public Safety’s Weights and Measures division presented House Bill 10‑13, a proposal to raise inspection fees charged to businesses for scales, meters and dispensers across the state. Director Tyler Steen told the committee the program’s last fee adjustments were in 2007 and that the division’s revenue target — to produce roughly half of its operating budget from fees — is again under strain.
Steen said typical inspections include grocery checkout scales, truck and platform scales at grain elevators, gas pumps, seed‑treating hoppers and propane bulk meters. Many inspections occur on a two‑year cycle, he said; some federally required inspections (for example, certain sale‑barn checks) occur annually. Steen described fee‑revenue projections in a handed‑out spreadsheet and said the department’s original recommendation landed short of the target; an amended version moved the rates higher and would bring the program closer to meeting the statutory intent.
Industry groups objected to the timing and size of increases. The South Dakota Petroleum & Propane Marketers Association President (represented by executive director Donna Leitzke) and the South Dakota Agribusiness Association urged the committee to send the bill to the 40th day so agencies and affected businesses could negotiate a phased approach and avoid steep, one‑time increases. The Associated General Contractors also asked for additional time.
The Department of Public Safety responded that the increases were designed to avoid continual, small adjustments and to reduce the need to return to the Legislature repeatedly. Steen said roughly 2,500 establishments could be affected and that many would have at least a year to adjust. The committee deferred the bill to allow industry and the department to continue discussions.
