October 2, 2018 •
South Dakotans to Vote on Ethics this November
South Dakotans will have multiple ethics-related ballot measures to vote on this November. Constitutional Amendment W, also known as the South Dakota Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment, would create an independent ethics commission, decrease limits on campaign donations, bar gifts […]
South Dakotans will have multiple ethics-related ballot measures to vote on this November.
Constitutional Amendment W, also known as the South Dakota Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment, would create an independent ethics commission, decrease limits on campaign donations, bar gifts from lobbyists to many public officials, and prevent the Legislature from altering or rejecting laws approved by ballot question without returning to the ballot.
More than 51 percent of voters supported a similar initiative in November 2016, but lawmakers repealed it in early 2017, citing constitutional concerns.
Also on the November ballot, Initiated Measure 24, would prohibit contributions to ballot question committees by non-residents, out-of-state political committees, and entities who have not filed with the secretary of state for the four years prior to making a contribution.
January 2, 2018 •
South Dakota Ethics Constitutional Amendment Approved to Be on 2018 Ballot
On December 29, South Dakota Secretary of State Shantel Krebs certified the South Dakota Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment as Constitutional Amendment W for the November 2018 ballot. If passed, Constitutional Amendment W would create an independent ethics commission, would […]
On December 29, South Dakota Secretary of State Shantel Krebs certified the South Dakota Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment as Constitutional Amendment W for the November 2018 ballot.
If passed, Constitutional Amendment W would create an independent ethics commission, would decrease limits on campaign donations, would bar gifts from lobbyists to many public officials, and would prevent the Legislature from altering or rejecting laws approved by ballot question without returning to the ballot.
More than 51 percent of voters supported a similar initiative in November 2016, but lawmakers repealed it in early 2017, citing constitutional concerns.
April 7, 2017 •
Proposed Ballot Initiative Seeks to Strengthen Ethics in South Dakota Politics
The group Represent South Dakota announced plans to lead efforts for a ballot measure in 2018 to amend South Dakota’s constitution to tighten ethics laws. The Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment would ban lobbyist gifts to politicians, lower campaign contribution […]
The group Represent South Dakota announced plans to lead efforts for a ballot measure in 2018 to amend South Dakota’s constitution to tighten ethics laws.
The Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment would ban lobbyist gifts to politicians, lower campaign contribution limits, and restrict the ability of lawmakers to overturn laws passed by voters.
Represent South Dakota has already filed the proposal with the Legislative Research Council and expects to start collecting signatures in June 2017.
The push for the new constitutional amendment comes in response to the recent repeal of Initiated Measure 22. Initiated Measure 22 was the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.
March 15, 2017 •
South Dakota Governor Signs Campaign Finance Bill
On March 14, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 54 into law. The bill revises many requirements dealing with campaign finance to strengthen campaign finance laws after the repeal of Initiated Measure 22. Senate Bill 54 will allow organizations, such […]
On March 14, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 54 into law. The bill revises many requirements dealing with campaign finance to strengthen campaign finance laws after the repeal of Initiated Measure 22.
Senate Bill 54 will allow organizations, such as corporations and labor unions, to contribute directly to candidates. The measure also restricts candidates from using campaign funds for personal expense.
Senate Bill 54 was initially introduced with provisions to lower contribution limits; however, those provisions were amended prior to the bill’s passage to reflect pre-Initiated Measure 22 limits.
March 13, 2017 •
South Dakota Governor Signs IM 22 Replacement Measures
On March 10, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a series of bills aimed at replacing ethics and campaign finance laws after the repeal of Initiated Measure 22. Among the bills signed into law, Senate Bill 131 prohibits elected officers and officials […]
On March 10, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a series of bills aimed at replacing ethics and campaign finance laws after the repeal of Initiated Measure 22.
Among the bills signed into law, Senate Bill 131 prohibits elected officers and officials from lobbying in the two-year period after termination of service in the state government.
House Bill 1073 was approved to set a $100 annual cap on gifts from lobbyists to elected officials. House Bill 1073 also defines “gift” to exclude food, beverages, and entertainment.
The Governor also signed House Bill 1076, establishing a government accountability board.
The Governor is expected to approve other pending Initiated Measure 22 replacement bills. The pending bills currently on the Governor’s desk include Senate Bill 54 to revise campaign finance limits and disclosure requirements and Senate Bill 171 to establish a government accountability task force to study campaign finance.
March 8, 2017 •
Amended South Dakota Campaign Finance Bill Reverts to Pre-IM 22 Limits
The South Dakota House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 54 restoring campaign finance limits to pre-Initiated Measure 22 levels. Senate Bill 54 was originally introduced to establish tougher campaign finance restrictions to preserve the spirit of […]
The South Dakota House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 54 restoring campaign finance limits to pre-Initiated Measure 22 levels.
Senate Bill 54 was originally introduced to establish tougher campaign finance restrictions to preserve the spirit of Initiated Measure 22 after lawmakers repealed the voter approved measure earlier this session.
Prior to passing the House with a vote of 55 to 12, the bill was amended many times before arriving at its current state. Senate Bill 54 now goes back to the Senate for approval of the amended version.
Photo of the South Dakota House Chamber by Jake DeGroot via Wikimedia Commons
March 1, 2017 •
South Dakota House Passes Revolving Door Restriction Bill
On February 28, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 131 to ban elected officers and other officials from lobbying during a period of two years after termination of service in the state government. The bill now goes to Gov. […]
On February 28, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 131 to ban elected officers and other officials from lobbying during a period of two years after termination of service in the state government. The bill now goes to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for consideration.
Senate Bill 131 is one of the pieces of legislation that was introduced by lawmakers to placate citizen outrage after lawmakers repealed Initiated Measure 22, the voter approved measure to overhaul ethics and campaign finance laws.
February 22, 2017 •
South Dakota Lawmakers to Consider Ethics Bills Ahead of Crossover Deadline
Thursday, February 23, is South Dakota’s crossover day, which is the final day for lawmakers to pass bills out of their chamber of origin. Ahead of the deadline, lawmakers are set to consider campaign finance and ethics bills that were […]
Thursday, February 23, is South Dakota’s crossover day, which is the final day for lawmakers to pass bills out of their chamber of origin.
Ahead of the deadline, lawmakers are set to consider campaign finance and ethics bills that were proposed in the wake of the repeal of Initiated Measure 22.
A bill to create a state government accountability board is scheduled to be heard by the House on Wednesday, February 22, and another bill to increase the revolving door restriction to three years was scheduled to be heard by the House on Tuesday, February 21.
February 15, 2017 •
South Dakota House Passes Gift Restriction Bill
On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed House Bill 1073. The bill seeks to ban lawmakers from accepting gifts from lobbyists exceeding $100 in value per year. Lawmakers advanced HB 1073 in response to the recent repeal of Initiated Measure 22, […]
On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed House Bill 1073.
The bill seeks to ban lawmakers from accepting gifts from lobbyists exceeding $100 in value per year.
Lawmakers advanced HB 1073 in response to the recent repeal of Initiated Measure 22, which left the state with no limit on gifts lawmakers could accept from lobbyists.
The bill is now headed to the Senate for consideration.
February 6, 2017 •
South Dakota Governor Signs Bill to Repeal Initiated Measure 22
On Thursday, February 2, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed House Bill 1069 into law. The passage of this bill repeals Initiated Measure 22, which was the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions. […]
On Thursday, February 2, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed House Bill 1069 into law.
The passage of this bill repeals Initiated Measure 22, which was the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.
Initiated Measure 22 was not in effect since it was enjoined by a circuit court on December 8, 2016.
February 2, 2017 •
South Dakota Senate Sends Ethics Repeal Bill to Governor
The South Dakota Senate voted 27-8 to approve House Bill 1069, advancing the bill to repeal Initiated Measure 22 to Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk. Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying […]
The South Dakota Senate voted 27-8 to approve House Bill 1069, advancing the bill to repeal Initiated Measure 22 to Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk.
Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.
Gov. Daugaard has previously stated his support for the repeal bill and is expected to sign the bill into law.
January 24, 2017 •
South Dakota Lawmakers Consider Bill to Repeal Initiated Measure 22
A joint committee of the South Dakota Legislature voted Monday to send House Bill 1069 to a full chamber debate in an attempt to repeal Initiated Measure 22. Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul […]
A joint committee of the South Dakota Legislature voted Monday to send House Bill 1069 to a full chamber debate in an attempt to repeal Initiated Measure 22.
Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.
The bill contains an emergency clause to avoid the possibility of voters proposing a referendum to reverse a repeal.
December 22, 2016 •
Judge Rules South Dakota’s IM 22 Indivisible
Circuit Judge Mark Barnett ruled yesterday that Initiated Measure 22 cannot be separated into different parts, issuing an order blocking the entire law from taking effect. Initiated Measure 22 was approved by the majority of South Dakota voters last month […]
Circuit Judge Mark Barnett ruled yesterday that Initiated Measure 22 cannot be separated into different parts, issuing an order blocking the entire law from taking effect. Initiated Measure 22 was approved by the majority of South Dakota voters last month as an act to revise campaign finance and lobbying laws.
There was an existing preliminary injunction on the law’s implementation; however, supporters of Initiated Measure 22 wanted to reinstate portions of the law not challenged by the plaintiffs, such as the provisions dealing with lower caps on campaign contributions.
December 9, 2016 •
South Dakota’s Initiated Measure 22 Put on Hold
A South Dakota judge has issued a preliminary injunction on Initiated Measure 22. Initiated Measure 22 was approved by the majority of South Dakota voters last month as an act to revise campaign finance and lobbying laws. The injunction will […]
A South Dakota judge has issued a preliminary injunction on Initiated Measure 22. Initiated Measure 22 was approved by the majority of South Dakota voters last month as an act to revise campaign finance and lobbying laws.
The injunction will give the courts and the Legislature time to consider the measure, which has been widely criticized as being poorly drafted and possibly unconstitutional. Supporters of Initiated Measure 22 are expected to ask the judge to re-instate portions of the law not challenged by the plaintiffs, such as the provisions dealing with lower caps on campaign contributions.
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