The hotly debated SB23, which would establish a mandate for publishing results of nomination petitions, advanced from the Senate Monday.
It now heads to a House committee.
The bill aims to make certain petitioning efforts become public knowledge. However the bill has faced a winding road through the upper chamber.
Brookings Republican Sen. Tim Reed was a no vote on the bill.
“When the bill first came it shortened the amount of time that would give you to do your petitions," Reed said. "So, there was some adjustments made to it, but I just think the whole idea of having this on the website if they don’t get it correct could really be problematic.”
Indeed, the bill has faced amendments, but even supporters aren’t sure of its chances in the House. Rapid City Republican Sen. Helene Duhamel said the amendments have taken the teeth out of the bill.
“By removing Section 2 in the amendment, you cut out giving the authority to the Secretary of State to give us the number needed for, in particular, statewide races," Duhamel said. "Now, we give them a date they need to give the number, but it doesn’t need to be the right number. In essence, we’re back to where we always were.”
SB 23 was submitted to the legislature on the request of the Secretary of State.