Details from District 2: In final weeks of Session, budgetary decisions loom

Hello to the constituents of District 2! 

We just completed week 7 in Pierre and have two weeks to go. On Tuesday it was crossover day, which means all House bills need to be heard by the end of that day in the House and all Senate bills completed on the Senate side, and then those that are still alive crossover to the other chamber. I’ve heard stories of years where they went past midnight on this day and they hung a black cloth over the clock, which symbolizes that time is irrelevant. Thankfully, we have not needed to use this in the four years I’ve been there. 

The Senate had some excitement that day as a Senator used a procedure called the “call of the house” In this instance, the chamber doors are closed and no one is allowed to leave while some members try to get the absent members in attendance and the Sargent at Arms goes out and searches for the absent members. This does not happen very often, so when it does it is quite memorable. It made for a long day for the Senators on crossover day. 

The last time I wrote to you I was excited about the passing of HB1077, an act to classify cell-cultured or lab-grown meat as adulterated food, which makes it illegal to sell. The governor vetoed that bill, which was disappointing, but now I’m partnering with Senator Voita to bring a different bill, SB124, which is similar to the one I had last year. It has passed the Senate and will be heard in the House on week 8. Hopefully the governor will sign this one!

As the legislative session nears its end, the focus turns to those of us on the Appropriations Committee. This is a critical phase when lawmakers finalize the state’s budget for the year. With the revenue set, we are casting votes on a lot of spending bills to determine which ones move forward and how the annual budget will get finalized. 

This is the last report you’ll be getting from me as your Representative. Once the session is complete we move into another campaign season where I hope to earn your vote as your next Senator! Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Reach out anytime. 

Representative John Sjaarda