The whirlwind pace for this session continued into our second week. Committee meetings were stacked with bill hearings, floor sessions included lots of debates, and every day we had lots of visitors!
I started the legislative week with a “win” by getting my HB 1041 past the South Dakota House of Representatives. After my floor speech on HB 1041 – the housing infrastructure program fix that would expand eligibility to tribal entities – we had a spirited debate to make sure we were covering all our bases. I was proud to see my legislation pass the House by a vote of 52 to 17. A special “thank you” to the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, the South Dakota Municipal League, Homes for South Dakota, the Economic Development Professionals Association, the nine tribal nations, and 52 of my colleagues for their support so far. It now heads over to the Senate State Affairs Committee where it will receive another hearing on Monday.
Now for the setback…and we’re not talking counties! Last weekend I shared with you my desire to give power back to the people by allowing registered voters the opportunity to vote in their partisan primaries. House Joint Resolution 5001 would have done just that. Unfortunately, HJR 5001 was deferred to the 41st Day in House State Affairs, but only after good testimony was shared from both sides of the issue. I call this a setback instead of defeat because I really believe there is significant momentum for modification. I’m hopeful that more constructive conversations can take place so we can find a compromise that works better for our people and our state long into the future. These statewide positions are too important to just accept the status quo.
In looking ahead to week three, there are a few of my initiatives that will start moving through the process. HB 1042 is a school lunch bill being led by my colleague from across the aisle (Rep. Kadyn Wittman of District 15) that would reimburse school districts for any breakfast or lunch costs not covered by the federal school breakfast and lunch programs for families who make up to 185% of the federal poverty line. This bill will be before our House Education Committee early Monday morning.
I’ve also been working on legislation to annually recognize March 25 as “Medal of Honor Recognition Day” in South Dakota as a working holiday. HB 1067 would create an opportunity for us to remember our nine Medal of Honor recipients in South Dakota’s history. This effort will also promote the values of our military and instill service-mindedness in future generations.
Last one I’ll mention for this week is HB 1098 – a bill to waive the fee of obtaining a certified copy of your birth certificate if you’re experiencing homelessness. This legislation came to me via my fellowship on Youth Homelessness through the National Conference of State Legislatures. It’s an easy, SUPER low-cost way to aid those experiencing homelessness and another way to pair them with agencies and non-profit organizations that can assist with navigating resources.
I remain appreciative to those of you from District 14 who have reached out with words of support, questions on issues we’re debating in Pierre, and for sharing your thoughts. Some have even testified in committees or met with us through your advocacy days in your State Capitol already. Please keep in touch anytime. I’m here to serve you.
– Tyler