By Dana Hess, For the S.D. Newspaper Association
PIERRE — The Republican leaders of the Senate wouldn’t say Thursday morning where they stand on HB1057, a bill that outlaws gender altering surgeries and medicines for children under the age of 16.
Their remarks were made during a news conference with more than 30 editors and publishers in Pierre for Newspaper Day, an event sponsored by the South Dakota Newspaper Association.
Senate Majority Leader Kris Langer, Dell Rapids, said the bill hasn’t been discussed in her caucus because it just made it through the House on Wednesday.
Assistant Majority Leader Jim Bolin, Canton, wouldn’t say if he supported the bill, but he did say, “I did not sign on to this bill for a wide variety of reasons.”
Bills like HB1057 show how open the process is in South Dakota, according to Bolin. In other states, a controversial bill might get stymied by the Speaker of the House or other leaders.
“South Dakota has one of the most open processes,” Bolin said. “Every bill gets a hearing.”
Republican leaders said the mood in the Capitol is good, with both parties working together. The frustrations that arise, according to Langer, have to do with money rather than the other party.
Flooding and a dip in the farm economy have made it tougher to find the needed funds in the Legislature.
“It’s not surprising, then, that we take a hit on our budget,” Langer said.
Both parties are trying to find money in the budget for raises for education, Medicaid providers and state employee salaries, according to House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, Platte. In her budget address last December, Gov. Kristi Noem said there would be no money available for increases in those areas.
Lawmakers are hopeful that revenues will come in higher than expected and allow them to offer some increases, Qualm said.
“There is a will to do something,” Qualm said.
Qualm said he couldn’t predict the fate of a bill that would put South Dakota permanently on Daylight Savings Time.
“The idea is everybody is tired of going back and forth,” Qualm said of the twice yearly time change.
