Greetings once again. Outside the Capitol, the geese are making bold daily walks about the lawn and parking lot. Inside, a flurry of activity, coupled with a sense of anxiety, has prevailed. The committee chairs’ gavels are clanking with finality as bills move onto the floor or die a close (or not-so-close) death. In Commerce and Energy, we heard HB1224, a bill that professed that we need to ring the alarm bells on banks in South Dakota. The premise was that these institutions are discriminating against select customers based on differing religious or political views. As a result, customers are allegedly barred from getting loans, bank accounts are being locked up, and other subversive tactics are being put into place in order to get rid of customers who run afoul of institutional beliefs. An out-of-state testifier took the lead in proponent testimony as he painted with a broad brush what was happening in South Dakota banks. When testimony was over, I could not help but ask him if he could verify that this was taking place in our state. He stated affirmatively that Family Voices had told him this was happening. I asked him why they were not there to testify, nor was any other “victim.” He really had no answer. We defeated the bill by sending it to the 41st day. I greatly dislike conspiracy theories!
I talked to readers about HB1217 last week: the bill that stated that schools were giving thousands and thousands of dollars to unions and that teachers were forced to join the union and could not withdraw. These were two of many fallacies presented to us. Once again, an out-of-state group called Freedom Alliance brought this bill forth. I testified against it on the floor and strongly suggested that these infiltrators stay out of our business. If we give these activists any traction at all, we are certain to have another swarm of them next year. We do not need or want them to tell us how to do our business. (Stepping off my soap box).
Our education committee heard HB1279, a request that Tech Schools have the ability to join the state health plan. Currently, three tech schools in Watertown, Sioux Falls, and Mitchell operate under the auspices of the public high school, so they are insured through them. Western Dakota Tech spun away from the high school out in Rapid City, and now they are finding that their insurance pool is small and rates are going up. One committee member made a motion to send the bill to appropriations to see if this would create costs for the state in premiums or added staff. That passed, so we will see what the outcome will be next week.
HB1306, legislation that discussed scholarships for students to attend any type of learning institution, was the next committee bill. The premise here was that the tax credit could be a scholarship donation of $1,700 that was addressed in the Big Beautiful Bill. The opponents said that, as this was a federal program and the framework was not yet in place, it would be of little use to make a law that would just have to be changed when the guidelines were set in the future. In addition to the aforementioned opposition, my major concern was that if we passed this bill, a future legislature would be saddled with a faulty framework. HB1306 died on a unanimous vote of those present.
HB1017 unanimously passed the House floor after it was amended. This was the alternative learning bill for students who are violent and disruptive in our schools on a regular basis. (These are NOT special education students). Although I was disappointed that the original language and definitions were removed, it was good to get this legislation passed. At least we are admitting that there is a problem in our schools, and violence and destruction must be addressed. This week, I will present my plan to request a grant to purchase an already constructed building to use as a regional behavioral day center in Aberdeen. Several area superintendents testified in favor of it, so we would have a great outreach program on a daily basis. With that, I will sign off until next time. May you have a blessed week. Rep. Greenfield.
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