Legislative Update from the South Dakota State Capitol

Yes, the legislative session is over—except for Veto Day on Monday, March 31. We are grateful that Gov. Rhoden has signed almost all of the bills we worked on, except for HB1169, which he recently vetoed. As a result, we urge you to contact your two representatives and your senator and ask them to support HB1169 by overriding the governor’s veto.

HB1169 is a bill that would require signatures on an initiated petition for a constitutional amendment to be a representation of each of the 35 legislative districts. It should be difficult to make changes to our Constitution. The Constitution outlines the structure of government and is not intended to reflect the whims of current ideas. Once an article of the Constitution is amended, it isn’t easy to revert to the original article. Take, for example, the institution of video lottery in 1989. This was introduced through a change to the South Dakota Constitution in November 1988. Since then, we have attempted unsuccessfully several times to repeal video lottery.

In our recent 2024 election, attempts were made to amend our Constitution to make unfettered abortion legal in our state. Amendment H would have also installed “open primaries” into our Constitution. Thankfully, these measures were defeated.

HB1169 will prevent those seeking signatures on petitions from getting them only in and around Sioux Falls or Rapid City. Petition drivers will be required to obtain signatures from the less populated areas as well to gain a full representation of our state.

HB1169 passed with a veto-proof majority in the House 63-6; we are hopeful that these representatives will retain their Yes vote. However, the Senate vote of 19-15 is not veto-proof. We need 24 senators to submit a Yes vote.

You have until March 30 to make your voice heard.

ACTION: Contact your state senator and urge them to vote Yes to override the Governor’s veto on HB1169. Click here if you don’t know who your state senator is. Inform them that changing our Constitution should be a difficult process. Please also contact your two representatives and thank them if they voted Yes and/or urge them to vote Yes again on HB1169. Please let your representatives know that you are being kept informed by Concerned Women for America of South Dakota.

PRAYER: Father, Thank You that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. We are grateful for the many bills that were passed and signed by Gov. Rhoden. We thank you for our South Dakota Constitution and the freedoms we enjoy and ask that this final bill be passed and put into law. We are humbly grateful for the freedom we have in Christ who blesses us with His grace and salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Thank you for your consistent prayers and actions on behalf of the bills we have been updating you about, as well as the many kind words that have been expressed as we lobbied, attended meetings, and testified before committees at the state capitol every week. We are grateful!