PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Visitor spending and total visitation each set all-time records in South Dakota in 2023. Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism Jim Hagen says people are seeing their message and following through by coming to the state. During 2024, Hagen says they’ll build on some of Travel South Dakota’s past marketing successes… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The Pierre Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol has a new leader. Commander Ruth Carly will continue in her roll as the Pierre Squadron’s Character Development Instructor, but she turned leadership over to Captain Jon Becker this week. Carly says adults are not required to be in the military in order to… Read more »

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 »