Details from District 2: Legislature Crossover Day on the horizon

Hello from Pierre, everyone. This week I will have several important bills on the Senate floor, beginning with Senate Bill 98, the ATM cryptocurrency bill. We worked with light opposition throughout the process to make sure consumers are protected as this technology continues to grow. I’m confident the final version reflects a balanced approach that safeguards the public while allowing innovation to move forward.

Senate Bill 210 will also be heard this week. This bill ensures that taxes generated from wind turbines stay in the school districts where those turbines are located. I believe strongly that the communities hosting these projects should directly benefit from the revenue they create.

Another key measure is Senate Bill 227, an auto body and consumer protection bill. Under current law, a thirdparty insurance company can total your vehicle – even when the accident wasn’t your fault – without asking for your input or considering the extent of the damage. SB 227 sets a minimum threshold of 75 percent before a vehicle can be declared totaled, while still giving consumers the option to approve a lower threshold if they choose. This bill gives vehicle owners a voice in decisions that directly affect their property.

Appropriators received good news last week with updated revenue projections. As all three of your legislators predicted, December revenues were strong, and we are hopeful this will allow us to agree on raises for the “Big Three”: health care, schools, and state employees.

In addition to these major bills, we will also be hearing legislation related to data centers, voting issues, childcare, and a variety of other topics as the session continues to move forward. Crossover day is coming on Feb. 24. This adds to the urgency and intensity of our schedule. Some committees will start to meet twice a day to make sure all the bills that originated in the Senate are to the house and vice versa. This is a key milestone in our legislative session each year. We are past the halfway point and things will escalate from here on out. Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.