97th Legislative Session, Week 3 Recap

As the third week of the legislative session closes, we hit some of our first deadlines with introductions of unlimited bills & joint resolutions. There are nearly 300 HB and over 160 SB needing to be heard in committees. 

The Pathfinder Center a program of Wiconi Wawokiya, Inc. does a wonderful job supporting and serving victims of human trafficking.

SB 46 was heard in House State Affairs on Wednesday; this bill is to protect fairness in women's sports. With many in-person and remote testifiers, the bill had a do pass motion and was sent to the House Floor. We debated the bill on the house floor; however, further action has been delayed until next week due to a last-minute amendment.

HB 1049 was to make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks for a shooting range near Rapid City. The House Ag and Natural Resource Committee debated the bill on Tuesday. After listening to testimony, the committee decided that while they liked the idea of a gun range, they felt it needed a safe, secure location – away from the bible camp. It was deferred to the 41st Day, killing this bill with an 8-5 vote. 

Two marijuana bills, HB 1057 and HB 1058, which would have added restrictions to IM26, were heard on the floor this week. One dealt with cannabis-infused edibles and prohibited the unauthorized transfer of cannabis and cannabis products by a medical cannabis cardholder to another person. Both bills failed.

HJR 5001 was heard and passed in both House State Affairs and by the full House this week. The bill will now be sent over to the Senate. This Joint Resolution is for our state to apply for a convention of states to impose restraints on the federal government. For a convention of states to occur, 34 other states must also apply with similar goals. 

I support both SB 53 and HB 1033, which ask for an appropriation to increase workforce housing, to declare an emergency, and to expand the eligible projects for the local infrastructure improvement grant fund.

Housing is one of the most significant issues we face in rural South Dakota. I believe these two pieces of legislation present real solutions to the housing problem we face. The proposed grant program will immediately impact our small communities without asking them to take on more debt. Many rural communities cannot afford the additional debt.

Republican Day at the capitol was held this week, with members of the GOP from all over the state joining us for the Day. The SD Federation of Republican Women served breakfast, and the party met for a group picture in the Rotunda. The South Dakota College Republicans hosted a reception in the evening. 

Thank you for listening and for your support.

Rep Rebecca Reimer
District 26B