The 101st Legislative Session concluded just over a week ago, and the transition back to daily life has been a quick one. Like many sessions, it can feel both long and fleeting. With a bit of distance, it becomes easier to reflect on where the major issues ultimately landed and what that means for District 32 and our state moving forward. This year brought one of the highest bill counts in decades, a notable milestone as the Legislative Research Council marked its 75th anniversary. With that volume came a wide range of outcomes, from meaningful progress to areas that still need careful attention.

The Bills I Carried

This session, I had the opportunity to bring forward a range of bills and resolutions shaped by conversations with educators, community members, and stakeholders across the state:

• HB 1101 – Living Donor Protection Act
  Protects living organ donors from long-term insurance discrimination. Passed and signed into law.
• HB 1299 – Natural Pools for Small Lodging Establishments
  Allows alternative pool systems for certain lodging facilities while maintaining safety standards. Passed.
• HB 1300 – Clemency Notice Reform for Survivors
  Strengthens notification requirements for victims and survivors in clemency proceedings. Passed.
• HB 1204 – School Construction Loan Fund
  Proposed a zero-interest loan fund to help schools reduce reliance on property tax opt-outs for building projects. While it did not advance, it continues to inform the property tax conversation and has strong potential for future sessions.
• HB 1205 – Education Funding Formula Adjustment
  Would have aligned school funding increases with inflation by using 3 percent or CPI, whichever is greater. It was tabled, and it is clear that continued work is needed both in understanding and refining the funding formula.
• HB 1273 – Revision of Mining Statutes
  Updated provisions related to mining oversight in the Black Hills, with a focus on long-term water protection and clarity in statute. While it did not advance, future efforts may focus on more targeted updates, including areas like limestone and lithium.
• SB 7 – Gold Severance Tax Adjustment
  Modified the tax rate on gold severed in the state to better reflect current economic conditions and resource management considerations. I served as the House prime sponsor, and this will likely continue to be part of future conversations.
• HCR 6003 – Black Hills Watershed Collaborative Recognition
  Recognizes the importance of collaborative watershed restoration efforts in the Black Hills. Adopted.
• SCR 605 – Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Support
  Supports pollinator habitat efforts and highlights the role of agriculture in conservation. Adopted.

While not every bill passed, each contributed to advancing conversations and identifying where more work is needed.

The Roller Coaster of Major Issues This Session

Several major issues defined this session. Here is where those conversations ultimately landed:

• Education
  Best: The funding increase moved from a proposed 0 percent to 1.4 percent. While still below inflation, it is an improvement. Additional support for Jobs for America’s Graduates (HB 1244) and expanded access to school meals (HB 1082) were meaningful steps to support student success.
  Concerning: Continued funding below inflation remains a structural challenge. Bills to expand firearms in schools (HB 1133 and HB 1129) raised concerns about priorities, especially when schools continue to need investments in safety tools like AEDs and student supports.
• Data Centers
  Best: The proposed tax exemption (HB 1005) did not pass. SB 135 moved forward to help protect electricity ratepayers and address water use concerns.
  Concerning: The volume of proposals, nine bills in total, reflects how quickly this issue is moving and the need to ensure strong guardrails as development continues.
• Property Taxes
  Best: The issue remained front and center, with multiple proposals elevating the need for both relief and long-term reform. Efforts were also made to reduce the grocery tax, recognizing that if we shift toward sales tax reliance, essential items like food should be more affordable.
  Concerning: SB 243, which proposed a retail transaction tax model, raised significant concerns about its underlying math and its potential impact on rural businesses. SB 245, while presented as a major property tax relief package, raises concerns about long-term sustainability, uneven impacts across communities, and whether it meaningfully addresses the root drivers of rising property taxes rather than shifting costs in the short term.
• Community Priorities and Culture-Focused Legislation
  Best: Representative Eric Emery brought forward important efforts to support Native communities, including HB 1007 to include tribal law enforcement in statute and HB 1190 to establish a state-tribal consultation framework. Representative Muckey’s HB 1219 to require interpreter services in administrative proceedings also reflects a focus on accessibility and fairness in government systems.
  Concerning: A number of bills, including HB 1184, SCR 604, and HCR 6010, focused on social and cultural issues that required significant time and attention. These efforts often came at the expense of deeper work on housing, workforce development, and long-term economic stability, areas that have a more direct impact on the day-to-day lives of South Dakotans.

Local Wins

Alongside statewide policy discussions, there were also meaningful investments for our region:

• Airport infrastructure and Ellsworth-area road improvements advanced through SB 76, supporting both economic growth and community planning.
• Adjustments to gaming revenue distribution with SB 102 will allow more funding to remain local while also strengthening the historical preservation fund.
• Continued efforts to support Native communities in our region reflect important progress, but also never enough progress, in building stronger partnerships and addressing local priorities.

Closing Reflection

Even with one of the highest bill counts in 30 years, this session reflects what legislative work often is: a mix of meaningful progress and areas that still need attention. It was an honor to serve District 32 during the 101st Legislative Session.

I value the strategy, the relationship building, and the detailed work that goes into shaping policy in South Dakota. I look forward to continuing this work, building on what we have learned, and staying focused on practical solutions that support our communities, strengthen our schools, and protect the Black Hills for future generations.

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