× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

PIERRE | As the protest camp along the route of the Dakota Access pipeline emptied out last week in North Dakota, legislators in South Dakota began considering a potential state law aimed at punishing possible protesters over another oil pipeline.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard wants temporary powers to stop people from assembling in South Dakota, in places that would be designated as public safety zones by the governor.

The governor wants a new criminal charge called aggravated criminal trespass to be created for people who defy orders to stay out of public safety zones, and the authority for judges to put offenders in jail for up to a year for first offenses, and in prison for two years for second or subsequent offenses.

One part of the proposed law would punish protesters who block highways. It specifically allows prohibiting people from standing outside vehicles on a highway in a public safety zone.

Clearly, showdown time must be coming. The mood was tense in the Capitol meeting room Wednesday morning as senators considered the governor’s proposed wording.

One of the governor’s aides, Matt Konenkamp, who repeatedly referred to outside agitators in his remarks to senators, drew a distinction with accepting peaceful protests.