SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The problem Republican Rep. John Sjaarda said he wanted House Bill 1017 to fix started in seven school districts in the Sioux Falls area.
Sjaarda, of Valley Springs, said in the House Thursday, those districts were not allowing attendees to use cash for tickets at school activities. He sponsored House Bill 1017 which would have required districts to accept cash for tickets and concessions after learning that some had been denied tickets at some of the schools.
The opinions of HB1017 were split among lawmakers from Sioux Falls who commented in the HB1017 debate on Thursday. The bill failed to reach a majority with 34 votes in favor and 32 against. Speaker of the House Rep. John Hanson said he noted the sponsor’s intent to reconsider.
HB1017 was a “knee-jerk reaction,” to policies several school districts recently started, Republican Rep. Brian Mulder of Sioux Falls said Thursday. He’s learned that cardless attendees have been accommodated.
“Largely the pressure is coming from one or two individuals over the thousands that attend events,” Mulder said.
Mulder said school districts including Sioux Falls need time to evaluate the policy and make changes if needed. To Mulder and several others, this is a local control issue and not an issue for state government.
Republican Rep. John Hughes, of Sioux Falls, said attendees including parents and youth, who are required to use cards to pay for events are paying an additional type of tax because of fees attached to card use.
“This is the House looking out for families…,” Hughes said, who is newly elected.
The intent of HB1017 may be good but it would have a potential negative impact, said newly elected lawmaker Democrat Rep. Erick Muckey of Sioux Falls said. School districts often work with third party vendors as they host state tournaments, he said. HB1017 could create a problem by requiring third party vendors to take cash.
Sjaarda said HB1017 was intended to allow everyone to fully participate in attending activities. While he doesn’t support government overreach, “I realize this is a place where government needs to do its job,” Sjaarda said.
HB1017 is a case where government would try to do too much, said Republican Rep. Roger DeGroot of Brookings. Parents and others who may have concerns or frustrations about a cashless policy need to talk with their school boards about possible changes, DeGroot said.
Parents told the House Education committee that they did contact the school board(s), said committee member and bill supporter Republican Rep. Josephine Garcia, who is newly elected from Watertown. “The process failed them,” Garcia said.
It is a strange thing to argue about using cash which has been used much longer than cards, said bill supporter Republican Rep. Tony Randolph of Rapid City. “I certainly don’t believe this is a local control issue,” Randolph said in support of HB1017.
