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South Dakota State Legislature

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South Dakota State Legislature

Seal of South Dakota.jpg
General Information
Type:   State legislature
Term limits:   4 terms (8 years) in Senate, same for House
2013 session start:   January 8, 2013
Website:   Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:   Matthew Michels (R)
House Speaker:  Brian Gosch (R)
Majority Leader:   Russell Olson (R) (Senate),
David Lust (R) (House)
Minority leader:   Jason Frerichs (D) (Senate),
Bernie Hunhoff (D) (House)
Structure
Members:  35 (Senate), 70 (House)
Length of term:   2 years (Senate), 2 years (House)
Authority:   Art III, Sec 1, South Dakota Constitution
Salary:   $12,000/2 years + per diem
Elections
Last Election:  November 6, 2012
35 seats (Senate)
70 seats (House)
Next election:  November 4, 2014
Redistricting:  South Dakota Legislature has control

Contents

The South Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of South Dakota. It is a bicameral legislative body, consisting of the Senate which has 35 members, and the House of Representatives, which has 70 members. The two houses are similar in most respects; the Senate alone holds the right to confirm gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. In addition, the Senate votes by roll call vote, whereas the larger house uses an electronic voting system.

As of May 2013, South Dakota is one of 24 Republican state government trifectas.

Selection of state legislators

Members of both houses of the state legislature are elected in November of every even-numbered year to serve a two-year term. Since 1992, legislators have been limited to serving four consecutive terms in a single house. Vacancies in the legislature are filled by gubernatorial appointment.

State legislators are elected from 35 legislative districts; each district elects one senator and two representatives. In 34 districts, representatives are elected at-large from the entire district. District 28, however, is divided into two house districts, each of which elects one representative. This is meant to ensure greater representation of Native Americans in the legislature.

Legislative districts are redrawn every ten years, following the United States Census.

Sessions

Article III of the South Dakota Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 7 of Article III states that the Legislature is to meet in regular session each year on the second Tuesday of January.

The South Dakota Constitution also contains provisions concerning special sessions of the Legislature. Section 3 of Article IV allows the Governor of South Dakota to convene a special session of the Legislature. Additionally, Section 31 of Article III allows for a special session to be convened by the presiding officers of both legislative houses upon the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house.

2013

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the Legislature will be in session from January 8 through March 25.

Major issues

Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) has asked legislators to focus on reforming the state's criminal justice system. They will also have to approve a new, balanced budget.[1]

2012

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 19.

2011

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the Legislature was in session from January 11 through March 28. [2]

2010

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 29.[3]

Senate

The South Dakota State Senate is the upper house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 35 members, one representing each legislative district. The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor, currently Republican Matthew Michels. The president only votes in the case of a tie. Each member represents an average of 23,262 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[4] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 21,567 residents.[5]

The senate elects one member to serve as President pro tempore; this officer presides in the absence of the president, appoints committees, and assigns legislation to committee. The current President pro tem is Senator Bob Gray, a Republican from Pierre.

Party As of May 2013
     Democratic Party 7
     Republican Party 28
Total 35


House of Representatives

The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district. The presiding officer of the House is the Speaker of the House, elected by the members. The current speaker is Republican Thomas Deadrick of Platte. In addition, the House also elects a speaker pro tempore, who presides in the absence of the speaker and traditionally succeeds the speaker in the next legislature. The current speaker pro tempore is Tim Rave, a Republican from Baltic. Each member represents an average of 11,631 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[6] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 10,783.[7]

Legislators

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

As of 2013, members of the South Dakota Legislature are paid $12,000/two-year term. Legislators receive $110/day per diem. Rates are set by the legislature.[8]

Pension

South Dakota does not provide pensions for legislators.[9]

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

South Dakota legislators assume office the first day of session after election (Jan. 11).

Joint legislative committees

The South Dakota State Legislature has one joint standing committee:

External links

References

  1. ↑ KTIV, "UPDATE: SD Governor asks lawmakers to revamp criminal justice system," January 8, 2013
  2. ↑ 2011 SD Legislative Calendar
  3. ↑ 2010 session dates for South Dakota Legislature
  4. ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
  5. ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
  6. ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
  7. ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
  8. ↑ NCSL.org, "2012 State Legislator Compensation and Per Diem Table," accessed March 18, 2013
  9. ↑ USA Today, "State-by-state: Benefits available to state legislators," September 23, 2011
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