Details from District 2: The 100th legislative session in Pierre has begun!
I began my week on Monday in the Capitol Rotunda with a large number of landowners for a Property Rights Rally. Representative Karla Lems introduced HB1052, a bill that would make it illegal to use eminent domain for a carbon pipeline. After the voters throughout the state made their voices heard through “No” on RL21 in November, we are looking forward to making progress on protecting personal property rights this year.
On Tuesday we heard Governor Noem give her State of the State Address. The conclusion of her speech was like a farewell as she prepares for President Trump’s appointment as Department of Homeland Security secretary. She also challenged Lt. Gov Larry Roden to “knock it out of the park” as she handed him a Louisville Slugger. We anticipate this to be a smooth transition. I look forward to Roden becoming our next governor and working with him. We should find out his pick for our new lieutenant governor this coming week. His appointment will have to be confirmed by the legislature.
Some of you may already know, I am serving on the Appropriations Committee this year. This committee is responsible for appropriating funds for the functions of the state. It has a more significant time commitment than any other committee. On a typical day, I am in committee by 7:30 a.m.-noon. We break for caucus meetings. Floor session begins at 2 p.m. We head back to the Appropriations Committee after session until 5 p.m. every day. Because of the time commitment to this committee, appropriators are not able to bring as many bills. When we testify for our bills in other committees, we miss our own committee’s work. I do, however, have a few bills I plan to bring in the next few weeks, so it is a balancing act.
On Wednesday, the Appropriations Committee heard from the State Treasurer about unclaimed property. Unclaimed property is a big deal in South Dakota. Every year the state receives well over $60 million in unclaimed property. We try to return these funds to the rightful owner but if the owner cannot be found, the money goes into the state’s general fund and is spent. This may sound great, but we are liable for that money if the owners ever come back to claim it. I am working on a way to put some of these funds in a trust so we can earn interest on it but still have the money available if the rightful owners come back and claim it. You can check if you have unclaimed property at www.cash.sd.gov. If you have any questions, reach out to me about this or any other concerns.
The first week starts out slow because there aren’t a lot of bills in the committees or on the floor yet. It gives us a chance to get settled in. This coming week we will be seeing a good amount of activity getting started. Even though this is a busy time, I appreciate hearing from my constituents on the things that matter to you. I am honored you have elected me to represent you!
