South Dakota State Legislature
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	4 terms (8 years) in Senate, same for House
Session start:	January 14, 2025
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	Tony Venhuizen (R)
House Speaker:	Jon Hansen (R)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Jim Mehlhaff (R) House:Scott Odenbach (R)
Minority Leader:	Senate:Liz Larson (D) House:Erin Healy (D)
Structure
Members:	35 (Senate), 70 (House)
Length of term:	2 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art III, Sec 1, South Dakota Constitution
Salary:	$13,436/year + per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	South Dakota Legislature has control

TheSouth Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government ofSouth Dakota. It is abicameral legislative body, consisting of theSenate which has 35members, and theHouse of Representatives, which has 70members. 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.

South Dakota has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:South Dakota House of Representatives,South Dakota State Senate,South Dakota Governor

Senate

TheSouth Dakota State Senate is theupper house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 35members, one representing each legislative district. ThePresident of the Senate is theLieutenant Governor, and the current President of the Senate isMatthew Michels (R). The president only votes in the case of a tie.

As of the 2020 Census, South Dakota state senators represented an average of25,365 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented23,422 residents.

The senate elects one member to serve asPresident pro tempore; this officer presides in the absence of the president, appointscommittees and assigns legislation to committee. The current President pro tem is SenatorGary Cammack (R).

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the South Dakota State Senate in 1994. In2024, they won a 32-3 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the South Dakota Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

House of Representatives

TheSouth Dakota House of Representatives is thelower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70members, two from each legislative district.^[1] The presiding officer of the House is theSpeaker of the House, elected by the members. The current speaker isSpencer Gosch (R). In addition, the House also elects aspeaker pro tempore, who presides in the absence of the speaker and traditionally succeeds the speaker in the next legislature. The current speaker pro tempore isJon Hansen (R).

As of the 2020 Census, South Dakota state representatives represented an average of12,682 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented11,711 residents.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1974. In2024, they won a 64-6 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the South Dakota House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Elections

2026

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2026 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theSouth Dakota State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.

Elections for theSouth Dakota House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.

2024

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2024 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theSouth Dakota State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 4, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 26, 2024.

Elections for theSouth Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 4, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 26, 2024.

2022

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2022 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theSouth Dakota State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 29, 2022.

Elections for theSouth Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 29, 2022.

2020

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2020 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofSouth Dakota State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was March 31, 2020.

Elections for the office ofSouth Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was March 31, 2020.

2018

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2018 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theSouth Dakota State Senate took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 5, 2018. The Democratic primary was ahybrid primary and the Republican primary was aclosed primary. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 27, 2018.^[2]

Elections for theSouth Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 5, 2018. The Democratic primary was ahybrid primary and the Republican primary was aclosed primary. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 27, 2018.^[3]

2016

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2016 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theSouth Dakota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016.

Elections for theSouth Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016.

2014

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2014 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2014

The general elections for the office ofSouth Dakota State Senate took place onNovember 4, 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014.

Elections for theSouth Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election took place onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014.

2012

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2012 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2012.

Elections for the office of South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2012.

2010

See also:South Dakota State Senate elections, 2010 andSouth Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010.

Elections for the office of South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010.

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.

TheSouth Dakota Constitution also contains provisions concerning special sessions of the Legislature. Section 3 of Article IV allows theGovernor 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.

2025

See also:2025 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2025, and adjourn on March 31, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on March 26, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on March 27, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on March 28, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on March 29, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on March 30, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 2019 See also:2019 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through March 29, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 South Dakota legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through March 26, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through March 27, 2017. The legislature held a special session on June 12, 2017. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through March 29. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 to March 30. Major issues in 2015 Republicans and Democrats both expressed differing opinions on the major issues that the legislature would be tackling in 2015. According to State Rep.Alex Jensen (R), lawmakers would focus on infrastructure and transportation issues. This included a Senate bill (S.B.1) that proposed the use of county and local taxes to fund road projects. Democrats, on the other hand, would focus on teacher pay (a recurring issue in front of the state's legislature) and the expansion of Medicaid.[4] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through March 31. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the state budget, a texting ban, and domestic violence.[5] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to March 25. Major issues in 2013 Major issues in the 2013 included reforming the state's criminal justice system and approving a balanced budget.[6] 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.[7] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 to March 29.[8]

Role in state budget

See also:South Dakota state budget and finances

South Dakotaon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[9]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies betweenJune and July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor byAugust 31.
3. Agency hearings are held inSeptember.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inDecember.
5. The legislature typically adopts a budget inMarch or April. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.

South Dakota is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[9][10]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.^[9]

District maps

State Senate

State House

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in South Dakota are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Authority:Article IV, Section 4 of theSouth Dakota Constitution.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in South Dakota

South Dakota is home to a single at-large congressional district; as such, congressional redistricting is not necessary. State legislative districts are drawn by thestate legislature. A simple majority vote in each chamber is required to pass a redistricting plan, which is subject to veto by thegovernor.^[11]

TheSouth Dakota Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. State statutes "ask that districts protect communities of interest and respect geographical and political boundaries." Because these latter requirements are statutory, they can be modified by the state legislature at its discretion.^[11]

2020

See also:Redistricting in South Dakota after the 2020 census

South Dakota enacted new state legislative districts after the legislature approved a compromise between two competing proposals. Both chambers voted to approve the final proposal, known as the Sparrow map, on November 10, 2021. The House approved the new districts in a 37-31 vote and the Senate by a vote of 30-2. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed the proposal into law later that night.^[12]

Both chambers approved their own versions of the final map on the first day of the special legislative session, which began on November 8, 2021. The House passed its Grouse 2.0 plan by a vote of 48-20, and the Senate approved its plan, known as the Blackbird 2.0 map, in a 20-15 vote. The two proposals mainly differed in their approach to Native American reservations and the rural areas around Rapid City, and the Sparrow addressed both preserving Native American districts and reconfiguring the districts covering Rapid City.^[12] These maps took effect for South Dakota's 2022 legislative elections.

2010

See also:Redistricting in South Dakota after the 2010 census

Following the 2010 United States Census, South Dakota did not add a congressional seat. As a result, congressional redistricting was unnecessary. At the time of redistricting, Republicans controlled both chambers of the state legislature. On October 24, 2001, thestate legislature approved a new state legislative district map. On October 25, 2011, thegovernor signed the plan into law.^[11]

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, South Dakota

Partisan breakdown of the South Dakota legislature from 1992-2013

South Dakota State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the South Dakota State Senate for two years while the Republicans were the majority for 20 years. The South Dakota State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. South Dakota was under Republicantrifectas for the final 19 years of the study.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

South Dakota State House of Representatives:During every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the South Dakota State House of Representatives. The South Dakota House of Representatives is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. South Dakota was under Republicantrifectas for the final 19 years of the study.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of South Dakota, theSouth Dakota State Senate and theSouth Dakota House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the South Dakota state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. For all but two years of the study, South Dakota had Republican trifectas. For over half the years of the study South Dakota was ranked in the top-10. Its best ranking, finishing 5th, occurred in 2010, and its worst, finishing 14th, occurred in 2000.

Chart displaying the partisanship of the South Dakota government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Legislators

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Pension

South Dakota does not provide pensions for legislators.^[14]

When sworn in

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

Legislators assume office the second Tuesday in January after the general election.^[15]

Joint legislative committees

The South Dakota State Legislature has two joint standing committees:

• Appropriations Committee, South Dakota State Legislature
• Joint Legislative Procedure Committee, South Dakota State Legislature

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the South Dakota Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XXIII of the South Dakota Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in South Dakota

Amendments to theSouth Dakota Constitution may be proposed in three different ways—through a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, or a state constitutional convention.

Initiative

See also:Initiated constitutional amendment

Aninitiated constitutional amendment is acitizen-initiated ballot measure that amends astate's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In South Dakota, thenumber of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for theSouth Dakota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 36 votes in theSouth Dakota House of Representatives and 18 votes in theSouth Dakota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toSection 2 of Article 23 of theSouth Dakota Constitution, the South Dakota State Legislature can call a state constitutional convention through a 75% vote in each legislative chamber. Citizens can initiate a constitutional convention question using the same procedures as an initiated constitutional amendment.

See also

Elections	South Dakota State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
South Dakota elections, 2024 South Dakota elections, 2022 South Dakota elections, 2020 South Dakota elections, 2018	South Dakota State Senate South Dakota House of Representatives Governor of South Dakota South Dakota Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• South Dakota State Legislature

Footnotes

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