South Dakota Lawmakers Fail to Override Vetoes on Lab-Grown Meat Ban and In-Home Care Regulations

Governor's vetoes of two bills stand after legislature falls short of the required two-thirds majority to override

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:05am

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A dynamic, abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of muted colors, conceptually representing the complex political tensions and competing interests surrounding the vetoed bills in South Dakota.The failed legislative attempts to override the governor's vetoes on lab-grown meat and in-home care regulations expose the divisive political landscape in South Dakota.Pierre Today

South Dakota lawmakers were unable to override Governor Larry Rhoden's vetoes of a bill that would have banned the sale of lab-grown meat in the state and another that would have imposed new regulations on non-medical home care providers. The lab-grown meat bill failed in the House with a 32-32 vote, while the in-home care regulations bill was rejected in the House 36-27, both falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the governor's vetoes.

Why it matters

The failure to override the vetoes means South Dakota will not see a ban on lab-grown meat products and will maintain a more limited regulatory framework for non-medical home care agencies. This preserves the status quo, with the governor arguing the vetoed bills either went too far or did not provide meaningful protections for consumers.

The details

The lab-grown meat bill would have classified such products as adulterated food, effectively banning their sale in South Dakota. Governor Rhoden vetoed the bill, arguing the state should not ban products simply because some people dislike them and citing legal concerns over similar bans in other states. Instead, Rhoden signed a compromise bill imposing a five-year moratorium. The in-home care regulations bill would have required licenses for non-medical home care agencies and created penalties for violations. Rhoden vetoed this, saying the regulations were too broad and created a false sense of consumer protection since the state health department lacks the authority to verify background checks.

  • The legislature convened on Veto Day, March 31, 2026, to consider the governor's vetoes.
  • Governor Rhoden vetoed the lab-grown meat bill and in-home care regulations bill in late February 2026.

The players

Governor Larry Rhoden

The Republican governor of South Dakota who vetoed the lab-grown meat ban and in-home care regulations bills, arguing they went too far or did not provide meaningful protections.

Rep. Julie Auch

The Lesterville Republican who sponsored the vetoed lab-grown meat bill, arguing livestock production is a way of life in South Dakota that should be protected from lab-grown meat.

Rep. Mellissa Heermann

The Brookings Republican who sponsored the vetoed in-home care regulations bill, arguing it was a basic consumer protection measure for vulnerable people receiving non-medical care.

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What they’re saying

“It's wholesome meat raised the way God intended”

— Rep. Julie Auch, Sponsor of lab-grown meat bill

“They have within their ability, right now, to correct any problems that they perceive”

— Rep. Mellissa Heermann, Sponsor of in-home care regulations bill

What’s next

Governor Rhoden has indicated he will work with the state Department of Health to develop a better framework for regulating non-medical home care providers that provides meaningful protections without placing unnecessary burdens on service providers.

The takeaway

The failure to override the governor's vetoes on the lab-grown meat ban and in-home care regulations bills preserves the status quo in South Dakota, with the state maintaining a more limited regulatory approach in these areas. This highlights the ongoing tensions between the legislature and governor over the appropriate level of government intervention in certain industries and consumer protection measures.