South Dakota House Upholds Governor's Vetoes on Final Day

Lawmakers fail to override vetoes on lab-grown meat and home care service bills

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:27pm

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A highly stylized, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes in warm earth tones and cool blues, conceptually representing the political tensions and debates that took place on the final day of the South Dakota legislative session.The final day of the South Dakota legislative session saw partisan clashes over new technologies and regulations, but also bipartisan support for critical infrastructure funding.Pierre Today

On the final day of the 101st South Dakota Legislative Session, the state House of Representatives failed to override two vetoes issued by Governor Larry Rhoden. The vetoed bills would have classified lab-grown meat as adulterated food and forced non-medical home care services to obtain licenses. However, the House did approve over $8 million in funding to replace the Richmond Lake dam.

Why it matters

The vetoes and failed override attempts highlight the ongoing political tensions in South Dakota over emerging food technologies and regulations for in-home care services. The final day of the legislative session also saw the passage of critical infrastructure funding, underscoring the state government's priorities.

The details

Governor Rhoden vetoed a bill that would have classified lab-grown meat as adulterated food, and another that would have required non-medical home care services to obtain licenses. The House was unable to gather enough votes to override these vetoes. However, lawmakers did approve over $8 million in funding to replace the aging Richmond Lake dam.

  • The 101st South Dakota Legislative Session ended on March 31, 2026.

The players

Gov. Larry Rhoden

The current governor of South Dakota who issued the vetoes that were upheld by the state House.

South Dakota House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the state legislature that failed to override the governor's vetoes on the final day of the session.

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The takeaway

The final day of the South Dakota legislative session highlighted the ongoing political debates around emerging technologies and regulations, as well as the state government's commitment to critical infrastructure projects despite partisan disagreements.