House State Affairs Committee pass bill dealing with constitutional amendments

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The House State Affairs Committee of the South Dakota legislature heard and approved a bill that would require the Secretary of State to determine if a proposed constitutional amendment complies with the single subject rule before it is officially filed.

Sponsor, Representative Will Mortenson of Pierre, says it comes out of the failed Amendment “A” vote.

Amendment “A” legalizing recreational marijuana was approved by voters in 2020. It was later thrown out by the state Supreme Court.

Mortenson says the bill moves the test of the language earlier in the process.

Representative Jon Hansen of Dell Rapids says he doesn’t like the time limits of the bill.

The bill was approved on a twelve to one vote and moves to the House floor.