This week I have had the privilege of working with several young people. Bethany Swift, Lucas, SD is serving as a Page in the legislature, and Kay Liester, Baltic, SD and Frank Even, Burke, SD, State FCCLA Officers have shadowed me for a day. It was great to work with them and answer their questions. It should not be surprising that many of our legislators were pages or interns or involved in FFA, 4-H, FCCLA and shadowed members in the legislature when they were in high school. These experiences helped them develop an interest in the legislative process.

I visited with Jim Smith who is Sargent at Arms in the House. Jim was a former superintendent in the Gregory Schools for many years. He had reached out to me when I got to Pierre, so I was saddened to hear of his wife’s passing. He is back working in the House and wants to express his gratitude to everyone for all of the prayers and acts of kindness.

Another cold week, but the work goes on. Some of the bills I supported passed and some failed. SB 136 and 137 passed and provide for the utilization and payment of claims for covered services provided by a healthcare professional via telehealth. SB118 passes which outlined how advanced care planning directives would become part of an individuals medical orders and would follow them to the care facilities and require the facility to adhere to the orders and wishes of the care plan.

Trust companies are big business in SD hiring over 400 employees and paying over $2.4 million in bank franchise taxes. A bill was passed updating the process regarding transactions of business by trust companies.HB 10048 passed authorizing public bodies the ability to conduct deliberation in executive session regarding security issues, including cyber security to protect them. As one senator said, “make sure the bad guys don’t know what we are doing to protect our security.”

SB 63 was passed. It made the penalty stronger for those convicted of knowingly, repeatedly trespassing to hunt, fish or trap.SB 84 authorized possession and administration of opioid antagonist (for drug overdose) in school and school and events. It would legally hold harmless schools that do administer or those who choose not to administer the opioid antagonist.

SB107 was defeated that would have made it a requirement that a defendant in a rape case who reasonably knew e victim was under the legal age for consent or incapable of giving consent, could not use it as a defense. I voted for the bill, but it ended in a tie vote so it was defeated in the Senate.

Watch SB93, which modifies the requirements for driving with a restricted permit. It was passed out of of committee to the Senate floor after there was an amendment, which allowed exemptions for rural areas and agriculture. A Senate bill to increase funding for county and township roads was defeated in committee but I will continue to work towards getting the needs addressed as we have gained support from more legislators to work this out.

It has been my privilege to be a part of a bible study each week in the governor’s larger conference room. I have been greatly encouraged by the help and support from many legislators, lobbyists and department personal during my first legislative session. I am also thankful for the prayers and emails from everyone in the district.