Week 7 Legislative Update
Don & Norman give a brief recap of week 7, and highlight several pieces of legislation, including:
Stopping Abortion Pill Producers: HB1274 gives the Attorney General additional tools to prosecute the companies that are mailing the abortion pills into the state. These pills end the life of an unborn baby, and have a 22x higher complication rate than the industry had previously claimed. CLICK HERE to learn more about the health dangers to women. The bill has passed the House, and is now in the Senate – to email your Senator and ask them to support the bill, CLICK HERE.
Parental Rights: SB190 would give parental rights the same legal protection as we currently have for freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Only 11 states are missing these protections – South Dakota is one of them. This bill has passed the Senate and will be heard on the House floor Monday afternoon – CLICK HERE to email your Representatives!
Sports Betting: SJR504 would add to the ballot the question of sports betting on mobile platforms in South Dakota. This form of betting is one of the fastest growing addictions in America, and would be a poor way to fund state government. the bill was killed in a House committee, but there is an effort underway to resurrect the bill and bring it to the House floor – CLICK HERE to contact your Representatives and ask them to vote no on this effort!
App Store Age Verification: The legislation to ensure parental involvement in app store downloads will be heading to the first committee very soon. This legislation enforces a simple concept: kids cannot sign contracts. This bill passed the House on a vote of 50-17! You can read more about the issue HERE, and CLICK HERE to contact your Senator to ask for their support!
Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy: HB1257 adds additional clarity to our pro-life laws, specifically explaining that miscarriage treatment and ectopic pregnancies to not count as “abortions” under South Dakota law. Our laws already provided for these and other treatments, but in light of the misinformation we have seen in recent years the decision was made to specifically explain that these treatments are not abortions and are allowed under South Dakota law.
This week we had four students join us at the Capitol as legislative interns! Nasaya, Callie, Kinley, & Elizabeth (L to R) were able to watch committee hearings and floor debates, and get hands-on experience of what the legislative process looks like. The picture below was taken after the Liberty Bell ceremony in front of the Capitol – celebrating America’s 250th.
