South Dakota House defeats gender ID bill, taxpayer-funded education lobbying ban

The South Dakota House of Representatives voted down bills Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre that would have barred taxpayer-funded lobbying by school districts and required school staff to notify parents if students talk about their gender identity.

Lobbying ban was a reaction to other failed bills

The chamber voted 40-28 to defeatHouse Bill 1185, which would prohibit education lobbying using taxpayer dollars from school districts.Aregistered lobbyist in South Dakotais hired by another person or a public or private organization to influence legislation.

Prime sponsor of the bill Rep. Liz May, R-Kyle, said shes grown frustrated with opposition from a coalition of public education lobbyists, some of whom are funded by school board memberships in their organization. May said the bill was meant to send a message to encourage cooperation for innovative education reform, rather than consistently opposing new ideas.

Some of those failed ideas this legislative session have included various proposals toprovide public funding for nonpublic education, and attempts to make public schools post theTen Commandmentsand thestate motto, Under God, the People Rule, in every classroom.

Lawmakers opposed to the lobbying ban said it was politically motivated, while others were concerned about singling out one group of lobbyists for using public money to influence legislative policy. Hundreds of lobbyists in the state represent public professions and industries, as well as state and local government. Those groups were not included in the lobbying ban.

Questions about parental abuse lead to gender identity bills downfall

State representatives largely didnt debate the merits ofHouse Bill 1201before voting 40-28 to defeat it.

The legislation would require public school and state-accredited private school counselors, teachers, administrators and staff to alert parents if a student discusses gender identity with them.

Aberdeen Republican Rep. Logan Manhart told lawmakers that schools would not have to report that discussion to parents if they suspect the student is abused or could face abuse if that information is shared with the parent.

But because the legislation doesnt explicitly say that, Rep. Peri Pourier, D-Pine Ridge, said she worried schools would still report to parents and potentially endanger students.