It is hard to believe that 1/3 of our session is already done. Week 3 went fast as we worked on issues that stimulated a lot of discussion. As of January 29, 275 bills have been introduced for this session, 158 in the House and 117 bills in the Senate. Also, Thursday was the deadline to drop unlimited bills and approximately 100 additional bills above the 275 were dropped that day. It has been reported by news media that we are behind in bills because of the new bill writing system. That is fake news because comparably we had 81 bills in the House and 101 bills in Senate last year at this time. We are expecting more bills to drop this coming week.

Bills of interest this week are HB 1028 which is to revise certain provisions regarding pesticide registration and application. This is a cleanup bill to clarify some of the languages, make clear the definitions and to move sections, in code already, around to make subjects related to pesticide registration and application more consistent. HB 1028 was heard and passed in Ag and Natural Resources Committee and passed 67-1 in the House.

HB 1047 is a bill which revises certain provision regarding human trafficking. This bill strengthens criminal code, especially related to “family trafficking” to hold traffickers accountable. This bill helps support the victims. It recognizes that a minor does not have the capacity to consent to sex trafficking, it makes it easier for a youth victim to clean up a criminal record and makes the restoration of the victim easier. The question was asked in Committee “is family trafficking most common in SD?”. The answer was “the vast majority is. The ones most likely to traffic are brother, fathers, boyfriends, etc.” This bill has been deferred until this coming week.

HB 1096 is a bill which would prohibit commercial surrogacy in SD. The bill states that “any person or agency who knowingly engages in, advertise services for, offers payment of money or other considerations for, profits from, solicits a woman for, or otherwise assists or participates in commercial surrogacy” would be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. This bill prohibits those who seek to hire or sell child-bearing services on a commercial basis. The bill does not affect volunteer surrogacy, mothers, or healthcare providers. The bill bans for-profit surrogacy agencies. The bill passed House Judiciary 11-1 and moves to the House Floor.

HB 1057 which I wrote about last week passed the House on a vote of 46-23 and now moves to Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The bill prohibits elective sex reassignment surgical procedures and hormone therapy on minors.

HB 1085 is a bill that would exempt this state from the observation of daylight savings time. The bill was heard in House State Affairs and was amended to switch the entire state to year-round permanent Daylight Savings time. The proponents of this bill gave testimony of the health problems that arise with time change plus the challenge it is for school age children to adjust to the time change. The only ones who opposed the bill was the motion picture industry in that it would confuse residents that watch television broadcasts in SD of what time the broadcasts will be aired. This bill passed Committee 8-5 and moves to the House Floor.

I would like to invite you all to our Legislative Meet and Greets or “Cracker Barrels” across District 21 planned for this Saturday, February 8th. Senator Rocky Blare, Representative Caleb Finck and I will be at each of these locations to meet with you, answer questions, and take ideas for new legislation needed. The schedule is:

• Wagner, at Valley Pump 9:00 -10:00 a.m.

• Lake Andes, at Community Center 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

• Platte, at 44 Pizza 1:00 -2:00 PM

• Burke, at Fire Hall 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

• Winner, at Statewide Ag 5:00 -6:00 PM

These are open for everyone to come and we hope to see many of you at each of these events. Your legislative team is committed to once again balance our budget, protect our freedoms and represent the good citizens of our state and District.

I would like you to know that I have taken out petitions to run for SD Senate this fall. It has been an honor to serve you in the SD House for four terms and hope I will have the great privilege to continue serving you in the Senate.

I look forward to hearing from you with any ideas or concerns, my door is always open and you can reach me at lee.qualm@sdlegislature.gov or 605 207-0406. Have a great week! God bless each of you, God bless this State and God bless America. “Under God the People Rule”

Representative Lee Qualm

House Majority Leader

Chairman House State Affairs

Committee

Legislative Procedures

Committee