Current Issues
BREAKING NEWS!
Below is a short documentary on the billboard issues and initiatives in Rapid City. It is a telling story and shares the process and progress of what a community and its people can do to make a change for its future.
This documentary has been released across the country to tell a story and help other communities as they search for ways to change the way the big billboard companies do business in their city.
Pass it on.....and let's keep South Dakota Scenic.
Rapid City Voters Send Anti-Billboard Message - We are Viewed as a National Leader by Scenic Organizations
Nearly one third of Rapid City voters showed up at the polls on June 7 to overwhelming approve both of our initiatives with a two thirds vote. National billboard control advocates are viewing this victory as a model that can be used in other communities. Go to the News page for all the media coverage of this ground breaking effort.
House Bill 1252 was defeated by a one-vote margin Tuesday, February 22, with representatives voting 35-34 in favor. To pass a bill, though, the state Constitution requires a majority vote of the members elected, not the members present on any given day. The House has 70 members.
HB 1252 would have allowed local government and municipalities to make decisions based on the citizens of their communities, the regulations they want for Off Premises signs.
Communities all across the state want to have the opportunity to choose how they would like to present their community to the traveling public as well as its citizens through off-premise billboards. This bill would have allowed citizens in each community the opportunity to give input to their local governments, and make decisions on whether they want more or fewer off-premise signs as well as assists city government to enforce the Sign Codes written on behalf of its population. Cities are searching for beautification and safety.
New and larger signage placed in the wrong place along a roadway may need to be reconsidered.
HB 1252 would have allowed all cities in the State of South Dakota to make their own decisions for the future of generations to come.
Stay tuned for additional updates in the near future.
To contact your representives: E-mails are frequently used, but if you don't have e-mail, please pick up the phone and call your Representatives. You may be surprised at how eager they are to hear from you.
The following representatives may prefer to be contacted by phone or by directly using their official South Dakota contact information for this session: Gene G Abdallah, Jon Hansen, Lora L Hubbel, Kevin Killer, Lance S Russell, R. Shawn Tornow, Justin R Croni. Please, remember that the majority of your representatives can be contacted by voting with a single click here, it's just that the members listed above do not share their e-mail information with the citizens. They probably prefer to recieve a phone call or letter from you.
You may send your representatiaves e-mail expressing your disappointment and asking them to reconsider there actions by clicking here.
Learn about Digital Billboards by going here to our Educational Page and be sure to take action by e-mailing your representatives.
Scenic South Dakota is a coalition of residents concerned for the quality of life in South Dakota's cities and counties. Our constituents include homeowners and businesses who are concerned about our state's deteriorating scenic beauty.