South Dakota state lawmakers wrapped up week two of the 2020 legislative session. Both the Republican and Democratic leadership, plus Governor Kristi Noem, held end of the week press briefings. House Minority Leader Jamie Smith addressed a bill that passed out of committee earlier this week that will make it illegal for medical professionals to perform gender-affirming operations or surgeries or prescribe hormone replacement therapy to aid a child’s gender transition.
“It’s very unfortunate that bill passed state affairs committee. I can’t believe the level of disrespect we are showing to our physicians and for people that think they are helping; I wish they would listen to that population of vulnerable people in our communities. It’s so important to show support to that community and as a caucus we fully support that population,” says Smith.
The ACLU has indicated it will legally challenge the state should House Bill 1057 become law. Senate minority leader Troy Heinert weighed in.
“Last year we paid out a considerable amount of money that passed and later found unconstitutional and if we want to keep writing checks…then we should keep passing this type of stuff," says Heinert. "It’s not going to stop. We have to be smarter about bills we take up and pass. That money we are paying, that can go to other programs, go to education community support providers. I’m doing mock testimony later today and that money for those kids would be huge but that is money that we just gave away.”
Also on the minds of lawmakers; providing an increase for K12 education, state employee salaries and Medicaid providers. Senate majority leader Kris Langer of Dell Rapids says republicans want to give some type of an increase to all three entities but won’t make decisions until appropriators know more details about revenue dollars.
“We have met both house and senate leadership and working with appropriators. The desire is to give something to the big 3 but where will we get that money. Both chambers want to say to give X amount of dollars, but we are still waiting and be realistic to see what we can give to each 3 providers and see what is realistic without making serious cuts to other areas,” says Langer.
House majority leader Lee Qualm, who is one of the main sponsors of a bill that will legalize industrial hemp, addressed funding the program.
“There is some one-time monies out there that can be used for that. Some of the other will go into department of ag, DPS and health and that stuff in all reality that has to be done whether we pass our bill or not because of tribes and department of ag all ready do what they need to do," says Qualm.
Governor Kristi Noem says she is having ongoing conversations with leaders to address her concerns with legalizing industrial hemp.
“During my state of the state address last week I laid out my guardrails. They have been working with us to include those. I want to make sure regulation licensing is in place. That enforcement is properly addressed and the department of public safety is involved. There's also a cost and I want to make sure the legislature can pay for it. We are working on the language and should have something next week. We are making good progress,” says Gov. Noem.
To listen to the end of the week press briefings in their entirety they can be found archived at sd.net.