Week eight brought us close to the final stretch of the legislative session. This week also included one of my favorite parts of the session. I was able to spend time with the Central High School students I sponsored as pages. Pages help with the day-to-day logistics of the House floor, delivering documents and messages for legislators. Passing handwritten notes across the chamber is still one of the traditions that makes the Capitol feel personal. After a good speech or the passage of a bill, colleagues often send a quick note of encouragement. I have saved several from this session and last. In a building where the work can be intense, those small gestures remind us that the work is still collaborative.

Representative Weems also keeps things light by having Pages pass out a “Take 5” candy bar whenever someone keeps their floor speech under five minutes. It is a fun reminder that clear and concise communication is often appreciated by everyone in the chamber.

What Moved Forward

This week brought an exciting milestone for me personally. All three of the bills I sponsored have now passed both chambers and are headed to the Governor’s desk. While each bill focuses on a specific group of South Dakotans rather than sweeping policy changes, they will make a meaningful difference for the people affected. Passing legislation is always a team effort, and I am grateful for the organizations and strong bipartisan support these bills received.

Other important bills also moved forward. House Bill 1200 provides funding for victim services programs, which is especially important as federal support for these services has declined.

Another bill worth noting is House Bill 1082, brought by my Democratic colleague Representative Wittman. After losing by one vote in Senate Appropriations, supporters used a rare legislative process called a “smoke out,” where one third of the chamber can pull a bill out of committee for debate on the floor. Smoke outs do not happen often. The fact that this bill reached that stage reflects years of steady work. Representative Wittman has spent nearly four years building support through monthly stakeholder meetings, gathering letters from schools and organizations, and organizing grassroots advocacy. Whether or not the bill ultimately passes this year, its progress shows that sometimes good ideas take time, persistence, and teamwork.

What Raised Concerns

Some votes are difficult because the answer does not feel like a clear yes or no.

Senate Bill 198 proposed a statewide “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban in schools. After an amendment addressed some of my initial concerns, I considered supporting it. However, the debate on the House floor raised additional concerns. School leaders spoke about the importance of local decision-making and the fact that districts across South Dakota already have policies addressing cell phone use. Local control has often helped districts navigate complicated issues in ways that fit their communities. The bill also did not include funding or a clear enforcement mechanism, raising concerns about creating another unfunded mandate.

After considerable thought and conversations with educators and stakeholders, I ultimately voted no. I believe this is an issue we can address more effectively by ensuring every school district maintains a clear and publicly accessible policy that keeps phones out of classrooms while allowing flexibility for local needs. Policies could also be reviewed periodically with input from parents, students, and teachers.

Another difficult vote was Senate Bill 69, authorizing a new Highway Patrol airplane and equipment. The aircraft can be used for several public safety purposes, including search and rescue operations. However, it is also used for Operation Prairie Thunder, and there remain concerns about transparency and federal involvement in those activities. Until there is more transparency on those activities, I was not comfortable supporting the proposal and voted no. The bill did receive the two thirds required votes and moves to the Governor’s desk. 

How Constituents Can Engage

As the session wraps up, I welcome continued input from District 32. Please feel free to reach out with bill ideas, concerns, or opportunities to visit your organization, business, or school.

You can also follow updates and upcoming events at nicoleforhouse.com.

Democracy is a team sport, and even as this session comes to a close, the work of preparing for the next one has already begun.

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