South Dakota State Legislature
| South Dakota State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | 4 terms (8 years) in Senate, same for House |
| Session start: | January 9, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Larry Rhoden (R) |
| House Speaker: | Hugh Bartels (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Casey Crabtree (R) House: Will Mortenson (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Reynold Nesiba (D) House: Oren Lesmeister (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 35 (Senate), 70 (House) |
| Length of term: | 2 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art III, Sec 1, South Dakota Constitution |
| Salary: | $13,436/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | South Dakota Legislature has control |
The South Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of South Dakota. It is a bicameral legislative body, consisting of the Senate which has 35 members, and the House of Representatives, which has 70 members. The two houses are similar in most respects; the Senate alone holds the right to confirm gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. In addition, the Senate votes by roll call vote, whereas the larger house uses an electronic voting system.
South Dakota has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate
The South Dakota State Senate is the upper house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 35 members, one representing each legislative district. The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor, and the current President of the Senate is Matthew Michels (R). The president only votes in the case of a tie.
As of the 2020 Census, South Dakota state senators represented an average of 25,365 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 23,422 residents.
The senate elects one member to serve as President pro tempore; this officer presides in the absence of the president, appoints committees and assigns legislation to committee. The current President pro tem is Senator Gary Cammack (R).
| Party | As of December 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 4 | |
| Republican Party | 31 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 35 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the South Dakota State Senate in 1994. In 2022, they won a 31-4 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the South Dakota Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
South Dakota State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 20 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Republicans | 15 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 31 |
House of Representatives
The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district.[1] The presiding officer of the House is the Speaker of the House, elected by the members. The current speaker is Spencer Gosch (R). In addition, the House also elects a speaker pro tempore, who presides in the absence of the speaker and traditionally succeeds the speaker in the next legislature. The current speaker pro tempore is Jon Hansen (R).
As of the 2020 Census, South Dakota state representatives represented an average of 12,682 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 11,711 residents.
| Party | As of December 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 7 | |
| Republican Party | 63 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 70 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1974. In 2022, they won a 63-7 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the South Dakota House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
South Dakota House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 29 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 7 |
| Republicans | 41 | 45 | 47 | 52 | 50 | 49 | 51 | 50 | 46 | 50 | 53 | 58 | 60 | 59 | 62 | 63 |
Elections
2026
Elections for the South Dakota State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the South Dakota State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 4, 2024. The filing deadline was March 26, 2024.
Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 4, 2024. The filing deadline was March 26, 2024.
2022
Elections for the South Dakota State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 29, 2022.
Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 29, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was March 31, 2020.
Elections for the office of South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was March 31, 2020.
2018
Elections for the South Dakota State Senate took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 5, 2018. The Democratic primary was a hybrid primary and the Republican primary was a closed primary. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2018.[2]
Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 5, 2018. The Democratic primary was a hybrid primary and the Republican primary was a closed primary. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2018.[3]
2016
Elections for the South Dakota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016.
Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016.
2014
The general elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place on November 4, 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014.
Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2012.
Elections for the office of South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010.
Elections for the office of South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010.
Sessions
Article III of the South Dakota Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 7 of Article III states that the Legislature is to meet in regular session each year on the second Tuesday of January.
The South Dakota Constitution also contains provisions concerning special sessions of the Legislature. Section 3 of Article IV allows the Governor of South Dakota to convene a special session of the Legislature. Additionally, Section 31 of Article III allows for a special session to be convened by the presiding officers of both legislative houses upon the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house.
2024
In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on March 26, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on March 27, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on March 28, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on March 29, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on March 30, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through March 29, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through March 26, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through March 27, 2017. The legislature held a special session on June 12, 2017. 2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through March 29. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 to March 30. Major issues in 2015Republicans and Democrats both expressed differing opinions on the major issues that the legislature would be tackling in 2015. According to State Rep. Alex Jensen (R), lawmakers would focus on infrastructure and transportation issues. This included a Senate bill (S.B.1) that proposed the use of county and local taxes to fund road projects. Democrats, on the other hand, would focus on teacher pay (a recurring issue in front of the state's legislature) and the expansion of Medicaid.[4] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through March 31. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the state budget, a texting ban, and domestic violence.[5] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to March 25. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 included reforming the state's criminal justice system and approving a balanced budget.[6] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10 through March 19. 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 11 through March 28.[7] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 to March 29.[8] |
Role in state budget
- See also: South Dakota state budget and finances
South Dakota on 
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The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[9]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies between June and July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
- State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by August 31.
- Agency hearings are held in September.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in December.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in March or April. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
South Dakota is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[9][10]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[9]
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in South Dakota are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 47 of the 70 members in the South Dakota House of Representatives and 24 of the 35 members in the South Dakota State Senate. South Dakota is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Authority: Article IV, Section 4 of the South Dakota Constitution.
| "Whenever the Legislature is in session, any bill presented to the Governor for signature shall become law when the Governor signs the bill or fails to veto the bill within five days, not including Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, of presentation. A vetoed bill shall be returned by the Governor to the Legislature together with the Governor's objections within five days, not including Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, of presentation if the Legislature is in session or upon the reconvening of the Legislature from a recess. Any vetoed bill shall be reconsidered by the Legislature and, if two-thirds of all members of each house shall pass the bill, it shall become law." |
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in South Dakota
South Dakota is home to a single at-large congressional district; as such, congressional redistricting is not necessary. State legislative districts are drawn by the state legislature. A simple majority vote in each chamber is required to pass a redistricting plan, which is subject to veto by the governor.[11]
The South Dakota Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. State statutes "ask that districts protect communities of interest and respect geographical and political boundaries." Because these latter requirements are statutory, they can be modified by the state legislature at its discretion.[11]
2020
South Dakota enacted new state legislative districts after the legislature approved a compromise between two competing proposals. Both chambers voted to approve the final proposal, known as the Sparrow map, on November 10, 2021. The House approved the new districts in a 37-31 vote and the Senate by a vote of 30-2. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed the proposal into law later that night.[12]
Both chambers approved their own versions of the final map on the first day of the special legislative session, which began on November 8, 2021. The House passed its Grouse 2.0 plan by a vote of 48-20, and the Senate approved its plan, known as the Blackbird 2.0 map, in a 20-15 vote. The two proposals mainly differed in their approach to Native American reservations and the rural areas around Rapid City, and the Sparrow addressed both preserving Native American districts and reconfiguring the districts covering Rapid City.[12] These maps took effect for South Dakota's 2022 legislative elections.
2010
Following the 2010 United States Census, South Dakota did not add a congressional seat. As a result, congressional redistricting was unnecessary. At the time of redistricting, Republicans controlled both chambers of the state legislature. On October 24, 2001, the state legislature approved a new state legislative district map. On October 25, 2011, the governor signed the plan into law.[11]
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
South Dakota State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the South Dakota State Senate for two years while the Republicans were the majority for 20 years. The South Dakota State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. South Dakota was under Republican trifectas for the final 19 years of the study.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
South Dakota State House of Representatives: During every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the South Dakota State House of Representatives. The South Dakota House of Representatives is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. South Dakota was under Republican trifectas for the final 19 years of the study.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of South Dakota, the South Dakota State Senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the South Dakota state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. For all but two years of the study, South Dakota had Republican trifectas. For over half the years of the study South Dakota was ranked in the top-10. Its best ranking, finishing 5th, occurred in 2010, and its worst, finishing 14th, occurred in 2000.
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[13] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $13,436/year | $166/day for legislators who reside more than 50 miles away from the capitol |
Pension
South Dakota does not provide pensions for legislators.[14]
When sworn in
Legislators assume office the second Tuesday in January after the general election.[15]
Joint legislative committees
The South Dakota State Legislature has two joint standing committees:
- Appropriations Committee, South Dakota State Legislature
- Joint Legislative Procedure Committee, South Dakota State Legislature
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the South Dakota Constitution can be amended:
Amendments to the South Dakota Constitution may be proposed in three different ways—through a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, or a state constitutional convention.
Initiative
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In South Dakota, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislature
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the South Dakota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 36 votes in the South Dakota House of Representatives and 18 votes in the South Dakota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 2 of Article 23 of the South Dakota Constitution, the South Dakota State Legislature can call a state constitutional convention through a 75% vote in each legislative chamber. Citizens can initiate a constitutional convention question using the same procedures as an initiated constitutional amendment.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.
- See also: South Dakota 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
| South Dakota Medicaid Work Requirement Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 18 | Yes votes: 28 (82.4%) | No votes: 4 (11.8%) | Yes: 0; No: 4 | Yes: 28; No: 0 |
| House: | Required: 36 | Yes votes: 63 (90%) | No votes: 7 (10%) | Yes: 0; No: 7 | Yes: 63; No: 0 |
| South Dakota Gender-Neutral Constitutional Language Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 18 | Yes votes: 35 (100%) | No votes: 0 (0%) | Yes: 4; No: 0 | Yes: 31; No: 0 |
| House: | Required: 36 | Yes votes: 58 (82.8%) | No votes: 12 (17.1%) | Yes: 7; No: 0 | Yes: 51; No: 12 |
See also
| Elections | South Dakota State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ South Dakota House of Representatives Districts 26 and 28 are both split into two districts representing different geographic areas.
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "South Dakota Primary and General Election Calendar 2018," accessed September 5, 2017
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "South Dakota Primary and General Election Calendar 2018," accessed September 5, 2017
- ↑ Caiti Blase, KDLT News, "South Dakota Legislature To Tackle Big Issues For 2015," January 12, 2015
- ↑ kotatv.com, "Sneak Peek into 2014 South Dakota Legislative Session," December 24, 2013
- ↑ KTIV, "UPDATE: SD Governor asks lawmakers to revamp criminal justice system," January 8, 2013
- ↑ 2011 South Dakota Legislative Research Council, "86th LEGISLATIVE SESSION CALENDAR," March 12, 2010
- ↑ South Dakota Legislative Research Council, "85th LEGISLATIVE SESSION CALENDAR," January 21, 2010
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 All About Redistricting, "South Dakota," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Black Hills Fox, "South Dakota lawmakers compromise on redistricting map in special session," November 10, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ USA Today, "State-by-state: Benefits available to state legislators," September 23, 2011
- ↑ South Dakota Constitution, "Article 3, Section 7," accessed February 16, 2021
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