The South Dakota Legislature is the bicameral legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of South Dakota. It convenes at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre and is composed of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Structure and Membership
- Senate: 35 members, each elected from single‑member districts for four‑year terms. Elections are staggered so that approximately half of the Senate is up for election every two years.
- House of Representatives: 70 members, each elected from single‑member districts for two‑year terms. All seats are contested simultaneously in each general election.
Both chambers are constituted under the South Dakota Constitution, which was adopted when the state entered the Union on November 2, 1889.
Leadership
- The Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota serves ex officio as the President of the Senate and presides over its sessions, casting tie‑breaking votes when necessary.
- The Senate elects a President Pro Tempore to preside in the lieutenant governor’s absence.
- The Speaker of the House is elected by the members of the House and presides over its proceedings.
Legislative Sessions
The legislature meets annually in regular sessions that begin on the second Tuesday of January. Regular sessions in odd‑numbered years are limited to 40 calendar days, while those in even‑numbered years may extend to 80 days. The Governor may call special or extraordinary sessions, and the legislature may also convene a special session by a joint resolution of both chambers.
Legislative Process
Bills may be introduced in either chamber, except that revenue‑raising bills must originate in the House of Representatives. Proposed legislation follows a standard procedure: introduction, committee referral, committee hearing and markup, floor debate, amendment, and voting. Bills approved by both chambers are enrolled and transmitted to the Governor, who may sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature after a prescribed period.
Committees
Both chambers maintain standing and select committees that handle specific policy areas such as agriculture, education, health, taxation, and transportation. Committee chairs are appointed by the respective chamber’s leadership and play a key role in shaping legislation.
Historical Context
The first legislative session convened in 1889, shortly after statehood, in an interim Capitol building. The current State Capitol, completed in 1910, has housed the legislature ever since. Over time, the legislature has expanded its statutory authority and modernized its procedures, including the adoption of electronic voting and digital publishing of bills and statutes.
Functions and Powers
Under the state constitution, the South Dakota Legislature holds the authority to enact statutes, appropriate state funds, levy taxes, and oversee the executive branch through hearings and investigations. It also participates in the redistricting process for both state and federal legislative districts, subject to constitutional and federal guidelines.
Official Resources
The legislature maintains an official website that provides public access to legislative calendars, bill texts, committee reports, session laws, and live streaming of floor proceedings.