Week Four at the South Dakota Legislature is the only five-day week we have during session. As Senate Majority Whip, this meant eight committee meetings and five floor sessions, so I spent a lot of time researching proposed legislation and preparing for session.
In my chaired Senate Transportation Committee, we passed SB 164, HB 1034, and SB 180. These bills are now awaiting further hearings, and additional legislation from the House will soon be before the committee for consideration.
SB 216, which capped local municipalities’ ability to use property tax revenues at 3%, has increasingly been blamed for severely limiting the ability of growing cities to pay for essential infrastructure improvements and local services.
My bill, SB 97, adjusts the current growth cap by increasing the allowable percentage in property tax revenue from 3% to 5% for local governments. Growth needs to pay for growth so that the obligation does not fall on existing taxpayers or result in reductions to essential public safety services. This also raises the larger question of whether a cap should exist at all. SB 97 received a Do Pass recommendation from Senate Taxation on a 6–1 vote and was deferred while we work toward a compromise to ensure the bill’s success.
Senate Bill 125, which establishes a Homeowner Tax Reduction Fund, passed the Senate Taxation Committee unanimously and is expected to be heard on the Senate floor next week. I introduced SB 125 as the first step toward meaningful, long-term property tax relief for South Dakota homeowners. Establishing the fund is only the beginning; future legislation will identify revenue sources. This proposal was a top recommendation from our Property Tax Reduction Summer Study and passed that study unanimously.
I also introduced SB 211, which would prohibit certain billing practices by ambulance service providers and establish reimbursement standards for out-of-network emergency medical services. This bill is intended to assist ambulance service providers in collecting their fees while providing greater transparency for patients.
District 31’s Cracker Barrel was held this weekend, and it was a glorious day in the Black Hills. It was great to see everyone at the BHSU Joy Center for a packed house and thoughtful discussions on property tax relief, school funding, protection of the Black Hills water supply, and Medicaid. Miles Kennedy also recognized our team for the success of HB 1052, which transfers the Hydro 2 plant to the Spearfish Canyon Foundation for future preservation.
Last Wednesday marked the final day to introduce bills. Early estimates show approximately 615 pieces of legislation this session—significantly more than last year. I attribute this increase in part to it being an election year. I sincerely hope we can keep campaign efforts out of the legislative process and remain focused on doing the work of the people.
I encourage you to track legislation and to reach out to me with your questions or concerns. It remains my great honor to serve the people of District 31. Thank you for placing your trust in me.
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