South Dakota state legislative leaders say they’re expecting to hold bill votes on either chamber floor by the end of the first legislative week.
Formal legislative session starts on Jan. 9.
The first week is typically reserved for opening speeches, bill introductions and some committee hearings.
Gov. Kristi Noem will deliver the State of the State speech on opening day. Leaders are scheduling both the State of the Judiciary speech and State of the Tribes speech for Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Over 70 bills are already pre-filed. Those will get assigned to a committee once they’re announced. State law requires a 24-hour notice before a bill gets a hearing.
Speaker Hugh Bartels said he’s aiming for a quick start this year.
“We’ve been working it to try and get this to work to have bills on the floor by Friday,” Bartels said. “It’ll be different, you know. No going home early on Friday.”
Bartels says he expects lawmakers to file a total of about 600 bills. Every bill gets a hearing during the brief 10-week session.
Senate leader Lee Schoenbeck said he also expects bills to reach the Senate floor by Friday.
