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Gun Rights

2nd Amendment: Our Individual Right The 2nd amendment, which states, “A well-regulated militia being necessary…

Family Values

The family is the bedrock of society. South Dakotans’ values are family values…faith, family, country. …

Medicaid Expansion

Medicaid: To Expand or Not to Expand Until now, the state of South Dakota has…

Taxes

Will Rogers said, “The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get…

Limited Government

Along with lower taxes, a limited government contributes to our individual freedom and our “pursuit…

The Latest

Here are the suggestions for Interim Studies that were suggested by legislators/committees. I submitted three (of the eight) recommendations, so we'll see if any of them are selected. We have a few days to submit our choices and then LRC will compile the data and submit it to the Executive Board for final determination. If there are certain ones you would like to see us do, please contact your legislators and let them know. Hope everyone has a great weekend:-)! Study A Title of Requested Study: Study on vaping to make awareness of all 18 and under. Plus we need more teeth in the regulation. Scope of Requested Study: Invite principals, schoolboards, states attorneys, local law enforcement, health organizations, youth groups, and city and county leaders. Requested By: Representative Carl Perry Study B Title of Requested Study: Industrial Hemp Study Scope of Requested Study: The Industrial Hemp Study Committee shall study the regulation and cost of implementing an industrial hemp program. What are the economic impacts of the production and sale of industrial hemp? What are potential costs or challenges for law enforcement? Study requirements for registration, licenses and permits; as well as seed certification and access. Requested By: Senate and House Ag and Natural Resources Committees Study C Title of Requested Study: The expansion and regulation of wind and solar energy Scope of Requested Study: Wind and solar energy expansion is a workforce and economic development issue. This study would look at ways to expand these industries while improving regulations, including looking at the social, environmental, health, and economic impact of wind and solar developments to balance expansion of these industries with the public interest. This study would build off of prior studies (including the 2011 interim study on wind energy and the 2004 South Dakota Energy Task Force). Requested By: House Commerce and Energy Standing Committee Study D Title of Requested Study: The need for a Brain Injury Grant in SD as it relates to services which are not currently available to our citizens Scope of Requested Study: 1. When was Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) medicaid certified in SD? 2. What funding source(s) is available for citizens who acquired a brain injury after age 21? 3. How many people are sent out of state for brain injury services? 4. Since the DOJ investigation of placing people with brain injuries inappropriately in nursing homes, what has been done to rectify the situation? 5. Is SD the only state that does not have a TBI Medicaid waiver or TBI grant? Requested By: Representative Chris Johnson Study E Title of Requested Study: Driver Licenses in Languages other than English Scope of Requested Study: Does 1-27 prohibit non-commercial driver license exam and preparation materials in a language other than English? How do other states pay for their multiple-language offerings? What languages, if any, should be offered now? How do those arrested without a license impact county jails and public defenders? Requested By: Senator Reynold F. Nesiba Study F Title of Requested Study: Property Taxation Study Scope of Requested Study: The study would examine how the property tax burden in South Dakota might be lessened across all classes of property. It would include a look at property tax exemptions in the state and the potential impact of adding or eliminating certain exemptions. The study would also involve looking at how property is taxed in other states, including the exemptions that exist and how increases in valuation are addressed. Lastly, it would examine possible ways to provide property tax relief, including an exploration of how eliminating certain sales tax exemptions might help if the increased revenue was used to lower property taxes. Requested By: Representative Taffy Howard Study G Title of Requested Study: Study on Fighting Methamphetamine Addiction Scope of Requested Study: The study would include an examination of all the state government resources currently devoted to fighting the methamphetamine addiction problem in the state. Are any of the state's efforts duplicative? What efforts are succeeding, and what efforts are not succeeding? What rehabilitation services are available with the state's prisons? The study would also include a look at how the problem is being addressed on the local level. Are community support providers able to adequately address the problem? If not, how might their efforts be enhanced? Requested By: Representative Taffy Howard Study H Title of Requested Study: Federal Grant Study Scope of Requested Study: The study would involve an examination of the federal grants received by the state over the past ten years. What state programs began with a federal grant and are now being supported with state general funds? What impact have the federal grants had on the state's budget? Is there or should there be some criteria that an agency must meet before applying for a federal grant? Requested By: Representative Taffy Howard

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3d ago
Every session has its ups and downs, you have successes and you have losses...but as far as advancing the sanctity of life, we definitely had a great session and it was good to see the House, the Senate, and the governor all come together on the most important issue we face, that of protecting the lives of our most vulnerable! http://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=24269

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5d ago
After a long hard week in Pierre, it was good to have a day to get out and enjoy the Hills with Matthew. It is the end of his spring break week, so I’m thankful we had nice enough weather to get out for a hike before classes start back on Monday. We still have numerous agency budgets to set on Monday, so even though it’s only a three-day week next week (and it’s the last week of session), it’s going to be extremely busy...so it’s nice to have the break at home and I’m enjoying every minute with the family:-).

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2 weeks ago
https://www.itnonline.com/content/south-dakotas-density-inform-bill-signed-law?eid=281057075&bid=2387372

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2 weeks ago
https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/46502?s=newslog

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2 weeks ago

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