Governor Kristi Noem wants lawmakers back for a special session in late May or early June.
She wants legislators to address several issues -- changes to a medical marijuana program and what to do with new coronavirus relief money.
Noem also wants action that could face an uphill challenge in the state Senate.
Governor Noem issued two executive orders moments after state lawmakers failed to approve changes to a partial veto on a bill. Noem says her orders are meant to protect women’s high school and collegiate sports.
Critics say the move targets the transgender community.
Noem says her orders are temporary until legislators convene.
“It’s all about fair play and fair competition. That’s what title IX was when it was established decades ago and that’s what we’re interested in protecting,” Noem says. “I think that these two executive orders are a temporary fix, but it also sends a pretty clear message to the legislature that I want them to address this in the coming month.”
Some in the Senate say the South Dakota High School Athletics Association already has a policy to address the issue.
It requires prospective transgender girl athletes get a waiver—and submit doctor’s and psychiatrists’ notes proving they’re transgender. An independent hearing officer determines whether they could have a competitive advantage.
Lee Schoenbeck is the leader of the senate. During an episode of South Dakota Focus ahead of Veto Day, he said a special session is not needed.
“I couldn’t get drunk enough to think about how you would have a special session on transgender,” Schoenbeck says. “That would be the dumbest special session we ever had in South Dakota.”
However, now Schoenbeck says he’s looking to be a problem solver on the issue and says he’s working on a solution.
Legislators will also consider changes to a medical marijuana program to prevent minors from inhaling marijuana and limit cultivation to just three plants. The other matter up for consideration in a special session is how to spend a new round of federal pandemic relief funding that will total about $1.4 billion dollars.
