South Dakota Legislature Reconvenes to Consider 2 Vetoes

Governor Rhoden vetoed bills on lab-grown meat and home care licensing, setting up a quiet final day of the 2026 legislative session.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:08pm

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A dimly lit, solitary government building in Pierre, South Dakota, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the contemplative mood of the legislature's final day.As the South Dakota legislature reconvenes to consider Governor Rhoden's vetoes, the quiet, contemplative mood of the final day of the session is captured in a cinematic painting.Pierre Today

The South Dakota Legislature is returning to Pierre on Monday to consider two bills vetoed by Governor Larry Rhoden. The first veto was on a bill that would have placed an indefinite ban on lab-grown meat production, which Rhoden said was an overreach of government regulation. The second veto was on a bill that would have created state licensing requirements for non-medical home care agencies, which Rhoden also argued was excessive government regulation. Neither veto is expected to be overridden, making for a quiet final day of the 2026 legislative session.

Why it matters

Rhoden's vetoes reflect his administration's approach of limiting government intervention in the free market, even in areas like food production and home care services. This aligns with the state's conservative political leanings, but could face pushback from some lawmakers who see a role for the state in regulating certain industries.

The details

Governor Rhoden vetoed House Bill 1077, which would have placed an indefinite ban on lab-grown meat production in South Dakota. Instead, the legislature passed a compromise bill, Senate Bill 124, that imposes a five-year moratorium. Rhoden acknowledged his disapproval of lab-grown products but said it wasn't the state's place to obstruct consumer preferences. Rhoden also vetoed House Bill 1138, which would have created state licensing requirements for non-medical home care agencies. This bill passed the House 41-25 and the Senate 20-14, but is unlikely to garner the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.

  • The Legislature is reconvening on Monday, March 30, 2026 to consider the two vetoes.
  • House Bill 1077 and House Bill 1138 were both vetoed by Governor Rhoden.

The players

Larry Rhoden

The Governor of South Dakota who vetoed two bills passed by the state legislature.

South Dakota Legislature

The state's legislative body that is reconvening to consider overriding Governor Rhoden's vetoes.

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What they’re saying

“While Rhoden acknowledged his disapproval of lab-grown products, he explained in his veto that he thought it wasn't the state's place to obstruct consumer preferences.”

— Larry Rhoden, Governor

“Similar to the rationale behind his veto on House Bill 1077, Rhoden argued the licensing requirements amount to an excess in government regulation.”

— Larry Rhoden, Governor

What’s next

The legislature is not expected to overturn either of Governor Rhoden's vetoes on 'veto day', so the final day of the 2026 legislative session is set to be a quiet one.

The takeaway

Governor Rhoden's vetoes reflect his administration's approach of limiting government intervention in the free market, even in areas like food production and home care services. This aligns with South Dakota's conservative political leanings but could face pushback from some lawmakers who see a role for the state in regulating certain industries.