Legislative Session 2022

The Black Hills Defense and Industry Symposium is on in Rapid City this week, bringing major military and manufacturers to the area to discuss major developments. Developments like the stealth bomber of tomorrow, to be housed at Ellsworth.

South Dakota says it is “Open for Business,” but recent developments in the state Legislature have some worried its business-friendly model may be changing.

In Sioux Falls, over 1,000 turned out to protest the current situation in the US executive branch. Across the state, in a community that typically votes more conservatively, a similar crowd showed up to make their voices heard.

A law passed more than three decades ago still controls the number of nursing-home beds in South Dakota. And this year a Native American tribe is asking the Legislature for an exception. SDPB’s Seth Tupper explains the history and logic behind the policy in this installment of our series, “Why is That?”

State senators are passing a bill that would legalize and tax recreational marijuana.The bill arose from a summer study that looked at both recreational and medical cannabis. Voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2020, but the constitutional amendment was struck down by the courts.

House lawmakers are passing a sales tax reduction.Supporters say the time is right to live up to a tax cut pledge from six years ago. Not every Republican is on board.

A Senate committee is rejecting a proposal that would reduce taxes for some ranchers.The bill would change the tax classification of land above 1,950 feet in elevation that’s remained grassland for 20 years.

The House of Representatives considered House Bill 1311. The bill would have ended contract-for-birth surrogacy. Here is a summary of the debate on HB 1311.

Governor Kristi Noem says she does not support a bill that would change the tax status of certain agricultural land above 1,950 feet in elevation.The bill states grassland that’s remained grassland or been planted with perennial vegetation for two decades will be considered non-crop land.

SDPB reporters provide updates on bills coming out of Pierre during the legislative session. Today we get an explanation of crossover day, new impeachment inquiry details regarding Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, and CO2 pipeline legislation. Lee Strubinger and Arielle Zionts are with us.

A House panel is endorsing two bills that prohibit the use of the abortion pill.One of those bans the use in certain cases. Both bills are brought by Republican candidates for governor this year.

Governor Kristi Noem says she is not comfortable with revenue projections set by state lawmakers.Their estimate for next year is $92 million higher than hers.

Some South Dakota legislators want to live up to a promise they made six years ago; to roll back sales taxes if the state could tax online purchases. The state won that legal battle and now brings in tax revenue from online orders. But, there are Republican lawmakers who say the state should be cautious about the idea.