South Dakota Lawmakers Tackle Diverse Agenda on Day 32 of Legislative Session

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South Dakota lawmakers are entering Day 32 of the legislative session with a packed agenda covering a wide range of issues, including property taxes, voting laws, abortion policy, criminal justice, mining revenue, and broadband expansion. Committees are weighing proposals to let counties impose a gross receipts tax to cut owner-occupied property taxes, revise restroom and changing room policies, and ban the sale or advertising of items used in unlawful abortions. On the floor, the House debates creating a homeowner tax reduction fund, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, and a proposed constitutional amendment removing the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate. In the Senate, members consider changing how new precious metals mining tax revenues are divided and revisit a proposal directing federal broadband funds toward expanding internet infrastructure statewide.

Why it matters

This legislative session in South Dakota is tackling a diverse set of issues that will have significant impacts on the state's residents, from property taxes and voting rights to abortion access and natural resource development. The outcomes of these debates will shape the political and economic landscape of South Dakota for years to come.

The details

Lawmakers are considering a range of proposals, including allowing counties to impose a gross receipts tax to reduce owner-occupied property taxes, revising restroom and changing room policies, and banning the sale or advertising of items used in unlawful abortions. On the floor, the House is debating creating a homeowner tax reduction fund, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, and a proposed constitutional amendment to remove the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate. In the Senate, members are considering changes to how new precious metals mining tax revenues are divided and revisiting a proposal to direct federal broadband funds toward expanding internet infrastructure statewide.

• South Dakota lawmakers are entering Day 32 of the legislative session.
• Committees are currently weighing the various proposals.
• The House and Senate are debating the issues on the floor.

What’s next

The legislative session in South Dakota is ongoing, and the outcomes of these debates will be closely watched as they have the potential to significantly impact the state's residents. The legislature will need to continue negotiating and compromising to pass any final legislation.