State Sen. Tim Reed earns legislative recognition from national organization

BROOKINGS — State Sen. Tim Reed of Brookings has been recognized as one of the most effective lawmakers in the South Dakota Senate during the 2023–24 legislative session, according to the newly released State Legislative Effectiveness Scores from the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

The report also identified Reed as the highest-performing freshman senator in the state and named him to the prestigious “Above Expectations” category for first-term lawmakers.

The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a nationally recognized research organization, evaluates legislators based on 15 metrics that measure a lawmaker’s ability to advance legislation through the legislative process and successfully enact laws.

According to the report, Reed introduced 19 bills during the 2023–24 legislative session. Of those bills, 18 received committee action, 13 advanced beyond committee, 12 passed the Senate, and 10 became law.

Since that freshman Senate term, Reed has continued to focus on legislation aimed at transparency, public safety, health care, and victim services. During the 2025–26 legislative term, he successfully passed legislation to provide continued funding support for victim services programs, including rape crisis centers and domestic abuse shelters. He also passed legislation requiring boards and governing bodies to annually review South Dakota’s open meeting laws and legislation requiring hospitals to maintain policies and procedures when sexual assault victims present themselves at a hospital emergency department.

Reed is currently running unopposed for the 2027–28 South Dakota Senate term representing District 7.

“I’m honored by this recognition,” Reed said. “Public service is about working hard, building relationships, listening to people, and finding practical solutions that improve our communities and state. I’ve always believed governing should focus on results, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with colleagues from across South Dakota to get meaningful legislation across the finish line.”

Before joining the Senate, Reed served six years in the South Dakota House and previously spent 13 years in Brookings city government, including eight years as the city’s mayor.