Senator Mike Rohl
Legislative Update
Below is an update on the bills I’ve written so far and where they are in the legislative process:
SB 3: An Act to limit the types of residential improvements for which counties, municipalities, and townships may require a building permit. Passed the Senate, House Committee, and now awaits the House Floor.
SB 4: Revise procedures for returning and withholding security deposits for residential premises. This extends the time for landlords to return security deposits from 14 days to 21 days. Signed into Law.
SB 5: An act to clarify how a ballot measure was placed on the ballot. This will instruct the AG to clarify in his ballot expansion on the ballot whether an issue was vetted and placed on the ballot by the Legislature or if a measure was placed on the ballot with citizen signatures and support. Passed into Law
SJR 501: Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, limiting the number of consecutive terms an individual may serve as a member of the Legislature to 16 years. The bill passed out of the Senate committee 6-3 and the Senate floor 20-14. It now waits for its House committee hearing.
SJR 502: Applying to the United States Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call for a convention proposing an amendment to the constitution fixing the number of justices of the United States Supreme Court at one chief justice and eight associate justices. This passed out of Senate committee on party lines and the Senate Floor 24-10.
SB 110: An act to provide Privacy of Broadband Internet Customer Information. This bill would require internet service providers to provide opt ins for selling personal data on the customers they serve. Currently these companies are collecting and selling users data without their permission or knowledge. Failed on a 4-4 vote in committee. I am exploring options to revive the bill as I believe this to be a crucial protection for consumers.
SB 111: An act to require that social media companies provide collected personal data of a user at the user’s request and maintain transparent interoperability interfaces. This bill would require social media companies to inform customers of the data collected by the company on the user and allow the user access to the information. Passed Senate Committee 8-0.
HB 1047: Make an appropriation for the construction costs at the Blue Dog State Hatchery. I was honored to carry HB 1047 on the Senate Floor allocating 8 million dollars to Blue Dog Hatchery. This money will be used to renovate and modernize the infrastructure at Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery. Signed into law.
SJR 504 : Passed the Senate 23-11. This would give voters the option of approving mobile sports betting. 90% of the money generated would need to go to property tax relief.
SB 236: create the county and township infrastructure fund for the accounting, safekeeping, and allocation of unobligated rural access infrastructure fund moneys. Senate committee is schedule to happen this week.
Rep. Logan Manhart
Legislative Update
Hello D1! The first half of the 101st Legislative Session is in the books. This session has hundreds and hundreds of bills and resolutions across both chambers. With so many bills, it can be hard to stay up to date. As one of your Representatives, transparency is important and I want to help keep those of District 1 as informed of the happenings in Pierre as possible.
First, I was proud to kick off this session by sponsoring House Concurrent Resolution 6002, a resolution to honor the life of Charlie Kirk. Charlie had a real finger on the pulse of the next generation and changed how young people interact with politics. As the youngest member of the South Dakota Legislature, I thought it was important I bring this resolution to remember his legacy. I am happy to say that every Republican present voted to pass the resolution.
Another bill I am happily sponsoring is Senate Bill 137. This bill is common-sense legislation to protect the exercise of a person’s freedom of speech. More than thirty states have already adopted similar legislation to protect citizens from being forced into silence by frivolous lawsuits and expensive legal fees. I am proud to bring legislation that protects our constitutional rights.
One significant item that the legislature is attempting to address this session is Data Centers and their role in our state, if they have one. Many ideas are still being debated in both chambers so I want to be clear on my stance. I am staunchly against the state giving any one industry a leg up with massive tax subsidies, especially an already wealthy out-of-state company. South Dakota needs to support our homegrown small businesses first and foremost. Out-of-state mega-corporations do not need us to create economic incentives that prioritize their interests over that of our existing residents and businesses.
I hope to represent South Dakota and District 1 to the best of my ability. If you have any questions or just want to talk about upcoming legislation, please reach out.
