PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The bill’s quick march through the South Dakota House to make last year’s 0.3% sales tax cut permanent is stopped cold in a Senate committee Thursday. The Senate Appropriations Committee tabled HB1001 on a 7-2 vote. The current law sunsets–ends–the decrease to a 4.2% sales tax rate from 4.5% on June… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The South Dakota Senate Wednesday passes a bill that tightens residency requirements to obtain an in-state hunting or fishing license. SB54 passed 33 to 0. The sponsor, Democratic Sen. Liz Larson from Sioux Falls, said in-state licenses should be reserved for actual residents. She added that recreational vehicle owners with mailboxes… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — Homeowner association residents could keep firearms legally, regardless of an HOA’s policy against gun possession. The Senate passed SB39 30 to 3 Wednesday. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Michael Rohl from Aberdeen, said 43,000 South Dakotans live in an HOA. He says the bill would allow residents to protect themselves. Democratic Minority… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- A resolution by freshman lawmaker Tyler Tordsen failed to advance through the House State Affairs Committee Wednesday morning. The resolution would have asked voters whether or not to include the offices of attorney general, secretary of state, public utilities commissioners, auditor, treasurer, and school and public lands commissioner on the primary ballot during… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- South Dakota election workers will receive some extra protection under a billl passed by a state Senate State Affairs Committee Wednesday. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Deadrick testified the protection is needed in light of events we’ve seen in recent years. Enya Karley of Piedmont testified against the bill, saying it’s too vague.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The 2024 South Dakota Legislature continues to tinker with the citizen-passed medical cannabis law. On Wednesday morning, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed three bills that add requirements or modify the medical marijuana program. SB10, which passed 5 to 0, requires that a patient’s primary care physician is notified… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Aberdeen Development Corporation are once again working collaboratively to bring Aberdeen’s voice to Pierre this legislative session! Both of our organizations are committed to business advocacy and quality growth for Aberdeen and the region. By devoting additional time and resources to establish a stronger… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(KJJQ)- The Dairy Research and Training Facility at South Dakota State University will close by the end of June. The farm houses about 300 dairy cows, produces milk used by the SDSU Davis Dairy Plant, and is used for research. SDSU President Barry Dunn says they tried to raise money for a new facility… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The House Health and Human Services Committee of the South Dakota legislature approved a measure brought to session by the South Dakota Attorney General to reclassify the drug Xylazine as a Schedule Three controlled substance.  State Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt says they worked with the animal health industry on the bill. Xylazine is… Read more »

MADISON, S.D.(KELO)- It’s a highly ranked cyber-education program…and it’s also ranked as one of the most affordable in the nation. Dakota State University is riding a wave of good news. DSU President Jose Marie Griffiths says CyberSecurityGuide.org gives the cyber program some of its highest affordability rankings at a time the program is also being… Read more »