Greetings from Pierre.
As week eight of the legislative session draws to a close, we find ourselves in a busy stretch. The floor sessions in both chambers have lengthened in order to properly address the bills arriving from the other chamber. If those bills pass the second chamber with approval, they will head to the governor’s desk for review, and either signature or veto.
This time of year, we also are solidifying the budget priorities based on more accurate revenue numbers. As bills with appropriations pass out of chambers, the budget for one-time and ongoing funds is updated. The House and Senate both work through prioritizing their own budget items, while also negotiating with the other chamber to come to consensus on how funds will be allocated while maintaining a balanced budget.
During this time of session, things can get very interesting from a procedural standpoint as legislators use different rules in an attempt to save or re-introduce a bill that has died. One example of this was HB 1138, which would require a background check and training for employees of non-medical home care agencies. I brought this bill to require baseline requirements in order to provide protections for our elderly and vulnerable receiving non-medical home care.
The bill died in it’s first committee under unusual circumstances. With the support of the majority on the house floor, I was able to utilize a rule requiring that the bill be delivered to the house floor for debate. This process is more commonly referred to as “smoking out” a bill. Fortunately, enough of my colleagues recognized the importance of the bill, that it was successfully passed from the House floor. Then last week, the bill also successfully passed the senate floor. It will now head to the governor’s desk for review.
Two additional bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections also advanced to the Governor’s desk. SB 98 addressed fraud related to virtual currency kiosk, while HB 1238 provides additional tools to prevent scammers from stealing money through financial institutions.
I brought HB 1238 after researching protections that had been implemented in Nebraska, following an experience that happened to my grandpa. Around our house, we refer to HB 1238 as “Maynard’s Bill” and it represents a meaningful step forward in protecting South Dakotans from financial exploitation.
I was also part of a conference committee for SB 3. This happens when one chamber approves a bill through, but the second chamber amends it. Because the chambers have approved different versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed to resolve the differences.
I was included in the conference committee because I had voted no on the bill, and conference committees generally include both supporters and opponents to ensure balanced representation. The conference committee meets to review the differences and submits a report back which is then voted on again by both the House and Senate.
We have one week left of session and then Veto Day. There is still much to do as we work to cross the finish line with a balanced budget. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent District 7 and will continue to show up and work hard.
— This legislative report was written by Mellissa Heermann, state representative from District 7.
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