PIERRE — When the governor seeks to appoint someone as a department secretary, the Senate has a role of advise and consent. The Senate played that role on Jan. 22, but with some dissent.
PIERRE — A bill that would allow the discussion of security matters in executive session was approved unanimously Jan. 23 by the House State Affairs Committee.
PIERRE — On Jan. 22, the Senate Education Committee advised the full Senate to approve the appointment of Ben Jones as interim secretary of the S.D. Department of Education.
PIERRE — In its role of advise and consent, the Senate State Affairs Committee on Jan. 23 approved the appointment of David Flute as the new secretary of Tribal Relations.
PIERRE — The Senate State Affairs Committee got a thorough overview of the state’s 211 system on Jan. 23 before deciding to hold the bill for a fiscal impact statement.
PIERRE —While lawmakers on the Senate State Affairs Committee were not enthusiastic about the need to run for re-election every two years, they killed a measure Jan. 25 that would have put longer terms on the general election ballot.
PIERRE — There were some uncomfortable legislators at the Jan. 23 Senate State Affairs Committee meeting as they dealt with a bill outlawing nepotism in state government.
PIERRE — South Dakotans got a step closer to being able to carry concealed weapons without a permit as the Senate passed SB47 which allows what is often called permitless or constitutional carry.