PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)-The Legislative Redistricting Tribal Areas Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2021 interim Tuesday.

District 24 Senator Mary Duvall of Pierre is a member of the subcommittee and also the chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. She says when drawing new legislative districts, they have to comply with the requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Bone Shirt v. Hazeltine is the federal case in which a panel of judges found South Dakota discriminated against Indigenous residents by not thoroughly involving them in the 2001 redistricting process.

Duvall says COVID is hindering their efforts to meet with the state’s tribal members in person.

The Joint House and Senate Legislative Redistricting Committee will hold its fourth meeting of the 2021 interim Thursday at 10am CT. The meeting is being conducted via electronic conference and in Room 414 of the State Capitol in Pierre, to allow for both remote and in-person participation.