The South Dakota House of Representatives convenes on Feb. 5, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
One of the effects of a faster start to this year’s legislative session in Pierre has been the prevalence of “zombie bills,” given new life after an initial defeat.
Rather than allowing the first week of session to pass with little action, as was often the case in years past , lawmakers jumped right into bill hearings. The earlier start gave some ideas extra time to rise again after death.
Early in January, Rep. Tyler Tordsen, R-Sioux Falls, unsuccessfully sponsored a resolution that would have asked voters if they’d like to choose candidates for attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer and other “constitutional” state offices through primary elections. Party leaders currently pick those candidates at conventions.
Past the halfway point
Lawmakers have completed 21 days of this year’s 38-day legislative session in Pierre. View all of South Dakota Searchlight’s coverage on the 2024 South Dakota Legislature page .