The Senate Judiciary committee hears testimony Tuesday on a bill to increase penalties for using threat or violence to prevent the practice of religion.
But some religious leaders say they would have liked a chance to give input on the measure.
Gov. Larry Rhoden stood alongside legislative leaders and Christian evangelist Will Graham to voice support for Senate Bill 113. The move came on the heels of a protest in a St. Paul church that disrupted worship. That protest was in conjunction with ongoing opposition to the actions of ICE agents in Minnesota.
Gov. Rhoden said images of the protest on television spurred him to take action, but he did not confer with any South Dakota faith leaders before getting behind the proposal.
"I have not (talked with clergy), other than Will Graham," Rhoden said. "He was out last week, and that was the day we had the press conference. He stood with us at the press conference. He and I visited about it. He’s a name-brand faith leader."
During Interfaith Day at the Capitol building in Pierre, South Dakota faith leaders prayed publicly for compassion and justice in the world.
Reverend Jean Morrow represents the coalition South Dakota Faith in Public Life.
"I would have appreciated, as a clergy person, that before bringing a bill about churches that there would have been some kind of opportunity for clergy and lay leaders, like our presidents and moderators of congregations, to have conversations with each other, and with the governor or the governor’s staff about whether or not this is necessary," Morrow said.
"There is a law on the books. I don’t know why we would go a step further without any kind of interaction with clergy and churches. I feel like it’s reactive and kneejerk."
The bill would raise the penalty for using threat or violence to prevent the practice of religion from a misdemeanor to an class 6 felony. That’s punishable by up to two years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
