Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

AG Ravnsborg Dissappointed In Presumptive Probation Bill Delay

Senate lawmakers must delay voting on a bill that repeals presumptive probation, one part of a criminal justice reform package from 2013.

Legislative rules require a cost estimate attached to any bill that could impact the state prison or county jail population. That cost estimate comes from the Legislative Research Council.

South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg says he’s frustrated.

“We pre-filed this bill,” Ravnsborg says. “That’s why we’re Senate Bill 19 out of about 170 bills. I understood there was no action even taken until last Thursday. This is, obviously, Tuesday after a holiday weekend. No one even asked us for any input.”

Repealing presumptive probation was a key campaign platform for Ravnsborg.

Proponents of the repeal say the presumption has tied the hand of judges when dealing with repeat drug offenders.

Opponents include the Department of Corrections and the Bureau of Finance and Management, both who fall under the governor’s office.

They say repealing presumptive probation will result in increased building and operational costs in the millions of dollars.

The Senate Judiciary committee is expected to vote on the bill, with a cost estimate, by Thursday. A deadline for getting bills out of committee is the following day.