PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Governor Kristi Noem’s revised riot-boosting bill clears the State Legislature with overwhelming approval in the State Senate.
It now goes to Noem’s desk for signature.
The Governor says she is trying to hold accountable people who have the intent to cause violence at otherwise peaceful protests.
Parts of last year’s riot-boosting plan were declared unconstitutional. Noem is confident that the revisions answer those concerns.
But critics, including South Dakota’s tribal leaders, are convinced that a riot-boosting law would squelch free speech.
Protests are expected in South Dakota when construction begins on the Keystone XL Pipeline. Noem is trying to avoid the violence that disrupted protests in North Dakota against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
