Category: Uncategorized

House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach’s plan for the legislature to study how to limit growth through new laws and potential taxes via an interim committee (House Concurrent Resolution 6010) met massive headwinds once it hit the Senate today, failing in Senate Ag & Natural Resources committee on a 4-3 vote.

The measure had flown through the House of Representatives on a relatively easy 60-9 vote a couple of weeks ago.. but then people started reading it, and realized what it proposed to do.

It wasn’t helped by Odenbach’s recent column in the Black Hills Pioneer citing that whether it’s “mining severance tax for Lead or Deadwood gaming revenue, we need to balance east-river levels of growth with preserving the Black Hills way of life..”

State Senator Randy Deibert led public opposition to the measure, after representatives of every county in the Black Hills, and several cities started contacting him, and he found himself joined by Elevate Rapid City, Black Hills Tourism interests, the South Dakota Cattlemen, the City of Lead, and a plethora of other organizations who showed up to the Senate Committee Hearing to slap the measure down hard. Two legislators who had voted for it in the House, Mike Derby and Steve Duffy, upon reflection now found themselves on the opponent side, and testified as to their opposition to the resolution.

I’ll recap this a bit more as committee minutes and audio are posted, but suffice it to say that the House Majority Leader was not happy in his rebuttal to the massive wave of opposition testimony his bill slammed up against, because he recognized that even with allies on the committee, his resolution was not headed in the right direction.

In committee discussion, Senator Helene Duhamel had led opponents and noted that in recent days, the Senate Judiciary Committee had disposed of a measure which also sought to use the resolution process to circumvent the regular interim committee selection process, just as Odenbach’s measure was attempting to do. After Senators Jensen (I believe) and Marty moved for the resolution’s passage, Duhamel and Davis came in with a motion to send it to the 41st day, where they were joined by Rohl and Voight.

And, HCR 6010 was sent away to the land of the mythical 41st day on a vote of 4-3.

Thune Discusses President Trump’s Strong Vision for America

 “[W]e are turning the page on the Biden administration’s failed policies, and I firmly believe there is a brighter future ahead.”

Click here to watch the video.

 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor.

South Dakota Wins Back-to-Back Governor’s Cups

PIERRE, S.D. –  The state of South Dakota, under the leadership of Governor Larry Rhoden and Former Governor Kristi Noem, has won Site Selection Magazine’s 2024 Governor’s Cup. This marks the second consecutive year that South Dakota has been awarded this prestigious honor for having the most economic development projects per-capita in the nation. You can read the full article here.

“We will keep South Dakota Open for Opportunity for as long as I am Governor!” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “South Dakota’s low taxes, common-sense regulatory policies, and old-fashioned work ethic are all vital to our thriving economy. We are leading the nation when it comes to economic development, and I am proud of the hardworking South Dakotans who make that possible.”

Site Selection is the premier publication for economic development in the nation. When businesses are looking to relocate or expand in a new state or community, they often look to Site Selection for guidance.

“This recognition is not just about us. It’s about the thousands of South Dakotans who are working hard every day to build a stronger economy,” said Joe Fiala, Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “We’re grateful for their dedication and look forward to supporting them as we move forward.”

“True economic development is built on a foundation of opportunity, innovation, and collaboration, and the journey has only just begun,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden. “Together, we will create a legacy of opportunity that uplifts South Dakota for generations to come. In the very near future, I will be announcing an effort aimed at continued collaboration with local communities across the state to get on the same page about economic development opportunities and priorities.”

A picture of the Governor’s Cup will be released at a later date.

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Attorney General Jackley Releases his Expense Vouchers For Open Records Request

 PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, responding to an Open Records Request, has released his travel expense vouchers for the period from January 7, 2023, when he was sworn into office, through Jan. 9, 2025. 

“Government transparency and protecting taypayer dollars are important to me. That is why I am releasing my vouchers to the media, and not just to the person who made the request,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I do not have a state-issued credit card, and I see no reason to ask for one.”

The Open Records request was made Jan. 9, 2025 by Steve Roberts of Washington, D.C. Attorney General Jackley released 37 vouchers submitted from the time he took office in January 2023 through the time the Open Records request was made. The expenses cover mileage, fuel, public transportation, both in-state and out-state meals and lodging.

Attorney General Jackley submitted the vouchers to the State Auditor’s Office for reimbursement which is the standard process for state employees. The Auditor’s Office approved all vouchers. Total amount of the 37 vouchers was approximately $7,242.54.

The vouchers can be found here:

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House Bill 1069, the measure to stop illegal Chinese vaping products from being sold in South Dakota that have not yet bothered to even apply for FDA approval, passed another step in the legislative process yesterday, as Senate Commerce and Energy sent the bill through after amendment, on a vote where 6 Senators voted in favor to protect children from the illegally imported products being sold on store shelves, versus 3 who sided with Big Vape.

 

Senators Chris Karr, Carl Perry and Liz Larson voted on behalf of Big Vape to keep cherry slushie and fried oreo flavored vapes illegally imported into South Dakota. (Which pair nicely with the MP3/Video Game vape pens for the children of their constituents).

Voting to protect South Dakota kids from the illegal products that the FDA considers adulterated were Senators Arch Beal, Randy Deibert, Joy Hohn, Steve Kolbeck, Sue Peterson and Casey Crabtree.

The measure will be heard on the Senate Floor today, so keep a watch on this bill to see how Senators vote on House Bill 1069!

Gov. Rhoden Signs Six Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed the following six bills into law:

• SB 72 revises the payor of autopsy costs in certain circumstances;
• SB 84 extends the timeframe for filling a vacancy in a board of county commissioners;
• SB 97 allows the governing body of a municipality to change the use of municipally owned parkland by ordinance;
• HB 1042 makes an appropriation for the construction of historical exhibits at the Cultural Heritage Center;
• HB 1095 extends the area in which a director for an irrigation district may reside; and
• HB 1160 waives the driver license renewal period for members of the military and their families, and employees of the state department.

Governor Rhoden has signed 51 bills into law this legislative session.

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Thune: Linda McMahon is Focused on Students’ Success

 “I’m glad that Mrs. McMahon plans to work in a way that empowers those closest to the student – because they are in the best position to do what’s right for that student.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor.

Thune: Senate Will Vote to Protect Women and Girls’ Sports

 “Women deserve their own athletic opportunities – opportunities that are not taken away from them by biological males, who have their own spaces in which to compete.”

Click here to watch the video.

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor

Johnson Announces Guests for Trump’s Joint Address 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced that Meade County Sheriff Pat West and Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe will join him for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.

“The law enforcement community is well acquainted with the effects of the Biden Administration’s soft-on-crime policies,” said Johnson. “President Trump’s leadership is a welcome change for our men and women in blue. I’m glad Sheriffs West and Howe will be able to hear how the President will partner with our law enforcement community to make America safe again. Law and order has returned to America.”

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Congressman Johnson for the opportunity to attend the upcoming State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. It is truly an honor to witness firsthand President Trump’s address to the nation,” said Sheriff West. “This event underscores the significant accomplishments achieved under the President’s leadership and highlights his vision for the future. Attending the State of the Union Address is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am deeply appreciative of this opportunity.”

“I’m sure that being personally present while the President of the United States addresses a Joint Session of Congress will be an unforgettable experience,” said Sheriff Howe. “I appreciate and am honored by Representative Dusty Johnson’s invitation to attend this important event.”

Sheriff Pat West was first elected in 2022. Prior to being elected, he served South Dakota as an agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation for over 20 years. Sheriff West has worked on cases in Meade County and western South Dakota caused by the opioid, methamphetamine, and fentanyl crises. He’s also worked on sex trafficking cases, like when he and other law enforcement agencies found a missing 13-year-old girl, who had been abducted by a 33-year-old male sex offender.

Sheriff Andy Howe was first elected in 2002. He also serves as South Dakota’s delegate to the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, advocating for support for the Regional Information Sharing System, which helps law enforcement at all levels to facilitate information sharing for criminal investigations and protecting officers. Sheriff Howe has assisted in the arrest of a suspect involved in a fentanyl overdose death of a 15-year-old girl.

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House Judiciary Committee Approves Attorney General Jackley’s Anti-Trafficking and Corrections Bills

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s House Judiciary Committee Monday approved two bills, proposed by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, regarding human trafficking and unauthorized items being brought into state correctional facilities.

“I appreciate this Legislature’s continued support of the Attorney General’s proposals to better protect victims, our communities, and our correctional officers and staff,” said Attorney General Jackley.

The two bills approved were:

• Senate Bill 58: Which revises provisions related to human trafficking, to prohibit the obstruction of human trafficking enforcement, and to provide a penalty.
• Senate Bill 59: Which revises provisions relating to the delivery, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of unauthorized articles in a state correctional facility, and to provide a penalty.

Committee members tabled a third Attorney General proposal, Senate Bill 57 which would have revised presumptive probation.

The two approved bills now go to the House floor for further consideration. Both bills previously passed the Senate.

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